Soccer: Ballardini takes over at Sassuolo

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 1 - Relegation-threatened Sassuolo said Friday that they have put Davide Ballardini in charge of the team for the rest of the season as they seek to reverse a slump in form and avoid the drop to Serie B.
    The club promoted academy coach Emiliano Bigica to the top job after sacking Alessio Dionisi following last weekend's 3-2 defeat at home to Empoli.
    But they have decided to send Bigica back to the youth team after Wednesday's 6-1 defeat to Napoli, which saw them drop down to 18th place and into the relegation zone.
    Ballardini is a much travelled coach whose former clubs include Palermo, Lazio, Cagliari and Genoa.
    His first match on the bench will be at Hellas Verona on Sunday.
    (ANSA).