Inter thrash Sassuolo to solidify the first place in Serie A

Tradition was a warning sign, as was Sassuolo’s improved form after recording two league wins following seven matches without a victory. Inter arrived in Reggio Emilia to face a club that had beaten them in two of the last three meetings and that has the most wins against the Nerazzurri in Serie A (ten). Moreover, in the past ten years Inter had beaten Sassuolo only twice in matches played in the second half of the season. All of that went out the window tonight…

Cristian Chivu prepared his players superbly for the 24th-round clash, in which they convincingly defeated Sassuolo 5–0 and continued their fantastic away record across Italy. Since the defeat to Napoli under Mount Vesuvius at the end of October last year, Inter have strung together eight consecutive away wins in Serie A. It therefore comes as no surprise that they are confidently holding on to first place in the standings, now eight points clear of Milan, albeit with the Rossoneri having a game in hand. Inter are in superb form. For example, in their last three matches, they have scored 13 goals while conceding only two — both coming in a 6–2 win over Pisa. Chivu’s side will try to extend that dominance next weekend against Juventus, before turning their attention to the first clash with Bodo/Glimt in the battle for a place in the Champions League round of 16. Icy weather and a very, very tricky opponent await them in Norway, but there were doubters even before the trip to Reggio Emilia. Inter’s players were quick to make them change their minds…

Dimarco’s corner in the 11th minute was headed into the net by Bisseck. The same player delivered another ball from the left in the 28th minute, when Marcus Thuram reacted brilliantly. Then the league’s top scorer, Lautaro Martínez, made the most of a poor response from the Sassuolo defense, controlling the ball on his chest and firing in a volley for his 14th league goal of the season. That came early in the second half, and by then it was already clear where all three points were headed. Perhaps things might have been different — perhaps the suspense would have lasted a little longer — had VAR not disallowed Kristian Thorstvedt’s goal late in the first half for offside to make it 1–2, or had Berardi quickly equalized at 1–1 when Sommer denied him a sitter, but it was unlikely. That Inter are a far superior team at the moment was confirmed by Manuel Akanji’s goal, once again from a corner, shortly after Lautaro’s, and then by Luis Henrique’s strike in the 89th minute — a superb diagonal finish — to seal a resounding 5–0. Although his experience and leadership as captain have helped the team many times this season, Nemanja Matić left his teammates in additional trouble on this occasion. After Inter’s fourth goal, he lost his temper and, following a heated protest toward the referee, received a yellow card and then a red. As a result, the former Manchester United and Chelsea midfielder will miss the match against Udinese, and possibly the one against Verona as well.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 24

Friday

Verona - Pisa 0-0

Saturday

Genoa - Napoli 2-3 (1-2)

/Malinovskyi 3 pen, Colombo 57 - Hojlund 20, 90+5 pen, McTominay 22/

Fiorentina - Torino 2-2 (0-1)

/Solomon 51, Kean 57 - Casadei 26, Maripan 90+4/

Sunday

Bologna - Parma 0-1 (0-0)

/Ordonez 90+4/

Lecce - Udinese 2-1 (1-1)

/Gandelman 5, Banda 90 - Solet 26(p)/

Sassuolo - Inter 0-5 (0-2)

/Bissek 11, Thuram 28, Martinez 50, Akanji 53, Henrique 88/

22.45: (1.50) Juventus (4.00) Lazio (7.25)

Monday

20.30: (1.37) Atalanta (4.80) Cremonese (9.00)

22.45: (1.50) Roma (4.20) Cagliari (8.00)

***odds are subject to change***