Final score

19 August 2018 20:30

Sassuolo
27' Berardi (P)
1 - 0
Inter
Referee: Maurizio Mariani / Linesmen: Carbone, Ranghetti / Fourth official: Di Paolo / Assistants: Valeri, Del Giovane
Watch highlights

Minute Text commentary
45' The first half ends with Sassuolo leading 1-0 thanks to a converted penalty from Berardi
44' Asamoah falls in the box but Mariani waves away the Nerazzurri's appeals for a penalty
43' Sassuolo break but fail to threaten on target
36' Consigli comes out to claim once again after Lautaro tries to find Icardi
31' Icardi tries his luck from outside the box once again, but whistles his strike just wide of the post
27' Handanovic goes the right way and gets a hand to it but can't keep out Berardi's penalty
26' Miranda is shown a yellow card
26' Mariani awards a penalty to Sassuolo for a challenge by Miranda on Di Francesco
24' Brozovic tries to pick out Icardi but Consigli comes out to claim the ball
20' Asamoah finds Icardi who forces a good save from Consigli at the near post!
16' A second yellow card for Sassuolo, as Rogerio is booked for a late challenge on Vecino
14' First sight of goal for Icardi, whose long-range strike is saved comfortably by Consigli
9' Solid defending from Miranda as he forces Berardi out for a corner
6' Duncan is shown a yellow card after committing a cynical foul on Lautaro
3' An early chance for Sassuolo, as Bourabia forces a solid low save from Handanovic
1' The hosts get us underway here at the Mapei Stadium. Come on lads! Forza Inter!
1' The teams are making their way out onto the pitch, with a minutes' silence to be held before kick-off to remember those who lost their lives recently in Genoa
1' Here we go! The new season has officially begun! The hosts get us underway here at the Mapei Stadium
Minute Text commentary
49' It's all over at the Mapei Stadium, with Berardi's penalty proving decisive
45' There will be five minutes of added time
45' A miraculous save from Consigli keeps out De Vrij. Sassuolo hang on!
45' Sensi shown a yellow card for a foul on Vecino
41' Spalletti makes his third substitution, bringing on Karamoh for Brozovic
40' Final change for Sassuolo as Babacar replaces Boateng
39' Consigli comfortably keeps out Politano
38' A right-footed effort is blocked by the Neroverdi defence and then easily caught by Consigli
33' Inter push on, with Asamoah earning his side a free-kick in a dangerous area!
30' Tricky stuff from Keita as he jinks his way into the opposition box, but his cross is then claimed by Consigli
29' The home side also make a change, with Boga coming on for Di Francesco
25' Perisic tries to find Politano at the back post, but he just can't make full contact with the ball
23' Spalletti makes his second substitution as Keita comes on for Lautaro
22' What a chance! Perisic puts in a wonderful first-time cross for Icardi, who just can't keep his shot on target
20' Lirola finds Boateng in the middle and sends a shot just off target
19' De Zerbi makes his first change, as Sensi comes on for Bourabia
18' Superb defending from De Vrij to halt the Neroverdi attack
15' Politano cuts in on the right and fires a wicked strike just past the post
12' Brozovic receives possession just outside the area but fires a long-range effort over the crossbar
8' A late challenge on Duncan earns Vecino a yellow card
5' Much improved from Inter who are keeping Sassuolo pinned back well
2' An instant chance for Perisic who fires his volley just over the crossbar
1' The second half starts with a change, as Dalbert makes way for Perisic

Handanovic
5.79
5.79
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Icardi
3.96
3.96
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
D'Ambrosio
4.3
4.3
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Brozovic
3.8
3.8
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Miranda
3.57
3.57
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Perisic
5.16
5.16
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Vecino
3.92
3.92
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Estevão
2.66
2.66
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Karamoh
4.57
4.57
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Politano
4.9
4.9
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Martínez
4.52
4.52
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Asamoah
6.34
6.34
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
de Vrij
5.17
5.17
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Balde
5.22
5.22
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 X
YOUR RATING
Average rating 4.56 SEND RATINGS
2 shots on target 3
5 shots off target 8
23 fouls committed 11
4 corners 4
3 offsides 1
38% ball possession 62%

Two of Sassuolo’s three worst defeats in Serie A have come against Inter, losing 0-7 in both September 2013 and 2014, but also against Juventus in February 2018.

Inter have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six opening league matches, winning four and a drawing the other (L1).

Inter finished last season with 10 points more than they did in the 2016/17 Serie A season, the highest points difference of any Italian side to play in both campaigns.

Inter scored the most headed goals in Serie A last term (15) while only Crotone (3) scored less headed goals than Sassuolo (5).

Inter striker Mauro Icardi’s first Serie A hat-trick for the club came against Sassuolo back in September 2014.

Inter striker Mauro Icardi’s first Serie A hat-trick for the club came against Sassuolo back in September 2014.

New Inter winger Matteo Politano scored 20 goals in 96 Serie A games with Sassuolo between August 2015 and May 2018.

 

wins(6) draws(0) defeats(4)

REGGIO EMILIA - It was a frustrating first game of the season for Luciano Spalletti’s side on Sunday, as they lost 1-0 to Sassuolo at the Mapei Stadium. A 27th-minute penalty from Domenico Berardi was what ultimately proved decisive, as the Nerazzurri crucially failed to get on the scoresheet.

The hosts were bright right from the off, with Bourabia forcing Handanovic into action as early as the fourth minute. Inter duly struggled to find space and only managed to break into the opposition half in the 14th minute, with Icardi firing a right-footed shot safely into the hands of Consigli. Having been played in well by Asamoah, the captain then tried his luck once again seven minutes later, but his shot was saved by the Neroverdi shot-stopper. The deadlock was then broken in the 25th minute, as Di Francesco earned his side a penalty after Miranda made contact in the box. Berardi stepped up to take it and fired the ball past Handanovic. The Nerazzurri responded, once again through Icardi, but his long-range effort failed to find the target. The final chance of the first half fell to De Zerbi’s side, although Berardi’s effort didn’t trouble Handanovic.

Following the break, Spalletti brought Ivan Perisic on for Dalbert, with the Croatian almost instantly firing over with a snapshot volley. Inter unsurprisingly looked to step up the pressure. In the 57th minute, Brozovic fired from the edge of the box but it went wide. It was the same for Politano three minutes later when he missed the target with his left. Sassuolo were soon on the front foot again in the 65th minute and they looked very dangerous as Boateng hit the post with an effort from Lirola’s teasing cross. From the following move, Perisic perfectly picked out Icardi but the Argentine just lacked the coordination to finish inside the six-yard box. With time running out, Spalletti brought Keita on for Lautaro. The Nerazzurri pressed but without really creating any clear chances. In the 84th minute, Icardi laid it off for the oncoming Politano but he didn’t have enough space to get his left-foot strike away cleanly. Karamoh also came on for Brozovic for the final siege on goal. In the 90th minute, De Vrij got his head to Politano’s cross but Consigli saved. The late assault in the five minutes of stoppage time was in vain and Sassuolo ultimately won 1-0.

On Sunday 26th August, we’ll have to bounce back straight away against Torino in front of the home crowd at San Siro. #ForzaInter!

 

SASSUOLO 1-0 INTER 

Goalscorer: 27' pen. Berardi (S)

SASSUOLO: 47 Consigli; 21 Lirola, 31 Ferrari, 23 Magnani, 6 Rogerio; 68 Bourabia (64' 12 Sensi), 4 Magnanelli, 32 Duncan; 25 Berardi, 27 Boateng (85' 30 Babacar), 34 Di Francesco (74' 20 Boga)

Substitutes: 79 Pegolo, 28 Satalino, 98 Adjapong, 39 Dell'Orco, 17 Sernicola, 73 Locatelli, 9 Djuricic, 10 Matri, 19 Odgaard

Coach: Roberto De Zerbi

 

INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 6 De Vrij, 23 Miranda, 29 Dalbert (46' 44 Perisic); 8 Vecino, 77 Brozovic (86' 7 Karamoh); 16 Politano, 10 Lautaro (69' 11 Keita Balde), 18 Asamoah; 9 Icardi

Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 2 Vrsaljko, 5 Gagliardini, 13 Ranocchia, 20 B. Valero, 37 Skriniar, 87 Candreva

Coach: Luciano Spalletti

 

Bookings: Duncan (S), Rogerio (S), Miranda (I), Vecino (I), Sensi (S)

Added time: 0' + 5'

Referee: Mariani

Assistants: Carbone, Ranghetti

Fourth official: Di Paolo

VAR operators: Valeri, Del Giovane

 

starting lineups

Consigli 47 1 Handanovic
Lirola 21 33 D'Ambrosio
Ferrari 31 6 de Vrij
Magnani 23 23 Miranda
Rogerio 6 29 Estevão
Bourabia 68 77 Brozovic
Magnanelli 4 8 Vecino
Duncan 32 16 Politano
Berardi 25 10 Martínez
Boateng 27 18 Asamoah
Di Francesco 34 9 Icardi

substitutes

Pegolo 79 27 Padelli
Satalino 28 2 Vrsaljko
Adjapong 98 5 Gagliardini
Dell'Orco 39 7 Karamoh
Sernicola 17 11 Balde
Boga 20 13 Ranocchia
Locatelli 73 20 Valero
Sensi 12 37 Skriniar
Djuricic 9 44 Perisic
Babacar 30 87 Candreva
Matri 10
Odgaard 19

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