Coming into the contest as the only side not to pick up a point in the first two Serie A rounds, Sassuolo knew a positive start was needed against Lazio.
Spurred on by their home support, Fabio Grosso’s side edged a closely-fought opening half-hour, with Andrea Pinamonti seeing a pair of low efforts smartly saved by Ivan Provedel in the visitors’ goal.
Having seen a red card for Aster Vranckx downgraded to a yellow after VAR deemed the midfielder’s challenge on Nicolo Rovella wasn’t as reckless as first feared, the Neroverdi continued to probe for a breakthrough before half-time. However, clear-cut chances came at a premium as both defences held firm going into the break.
Determined to improve on their first-half showing, Lazio looked to up the ante at the start of the second period, but it was the hosts who remained the more dangerous in the final third, with Pinamonti firing wide when well-placed in the box.
The Neroverdi’s pressure finally paid dividends with 20 minutes remaining, as substitute Fadera tapped home inside the six-yard box after a clever knock-down header by Tarik Muharemovic.
Facing the prospect of back-to-back away defeats to start the Serie A season, Lazio went in pursuit of an immediate response.
However, Danilo Cataldi and Boulaye Dia saw a pair of strikes thwarted by Arijanet Muric in quick succession as the Sassuolo rearguard held firm under pressure.
Lazio’s late attempts to salvage something from the contest ultimately proved fruitless as Grosso’s men secured a hard-fought three points, ending a run of three consecutive home defeats in the top flight.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Tarik Muharemovic (Sassuolo)
