Inter Milan didn’t exactly shine against Sassuolo, but ultimately deserved their 2-1 win, even if they had to endure a nervous finish. It was the Nerazzurri’s second win in their fourth league game.
Inter Milan had ended their negative run of two consecutive defeats with a 2-0 win in Amsterdam during the week. Now they had to confirm that in the league. On paper, their opponents Sassuolo seemed like an easy task, but the newly promoted side had recently shown that they could take on the big guns with an impressive 1-0 win over Lazio Rome.
With former Wolfsburg player Aster Vranckx (63 Bundesliga appearances), there was also a familiar face from Germany in Sassuolo’s starting lineup. However, the best-known name in Sassuolo is Nemanja Matic, who, at 37, is winding down his world-class career in picturesque Emilia-Romagna.
Sucic proves his vision
At San Siro, however, it was not the experienced Serbian who made the headlines, but rather Inter’s Croatian newcomer Sucic. After Carlos Augusto failed to beat Muric (7th minute) and Laurantié failed to beat Josep Martinez (10th minute) at the other end, Sucic, set up by Barella on a counterattack, showed excellent vision for the advancing Dimarco, who finished confidently to make it 1-0 (14th minute).
The lead was deserved, as Inter were the more agile and better team. The Nerazzurri could have built on their lead, but they were too rarely decisive against a Sassuolo side focused on disrupting play and counterattacking—and when they were, they lacked efficiency in front of goal. Thuram (30′) and Esposito (40′) both missed excellent chances to make it 2-0.
Goalkeepers in top form
The second half was quite fragmented. Inter remained in control of the game, but often made things too complicated in the final third and had to wait for the next goal. They almost paid the price in the 63rd minute, but Martinez made a superb save against Pinamonti (63′).
The visitors also had an excellent goalkeeper between the posts, as Muric proved shortly afterwards with his brilliant save against Esposito (67′). A little later, it was Carlos Augusto who, after a fine pass from substitute Lautaro Martinez, was unable to get past the Montenegrin goalkeeper, but the Brazilian had also shot too centrally (76′).
A few minutes later, the Brazilian had another chance, and this time he took it, scoring from 16 meters out to make it 2-0 after a spectacular dribble. Muharemovic then deflected the ball into his own net (81′). However, this did not bring calm to the stadium, as substitute Cheddira finished off a great move by Sassuolo to make it 1-2 and keep the tension high (84′).
Because Frattesi’s goal was disallowed for offside (86′), Inter had to sweat it out until the end. Sassuolo did not give up, pushing hard for the equalizer and creating several promising chances in the opponent’s box. However, the league newcomers were unable to turn the tide.