Final score
19 August 2018 20:30
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
|
YOUR RATING |
Icardi |
3.96
3.96
|
YOUR RATING |
D'Ambrosio |
4.3
4.3
|
YOUR RATING |
Brozovic |
3.8
3.8
|
YOUR RATING |
Miranda |
3.57
3.57
|
YOUR RATING |
Perisic |
5.16
5.16
|
YOUR RATING |
Vecino |
3.92
3.92
|
YOUR RATING |
Estevão |
2.66
2.66
|
YOUR RATING |
Karamoh |
4.57
4.57
|
YOUR RATING |
Politano |
4.9
4.9
|
YOUR RATING |
Martínez |
4.52
4.52
|
YOUR RATING |
Asamoah |
6.34
6.34
|
YOUR RATING |
de Vrij |
5.17
5.17
|
YOUR RATING |
Balde |
5.22
5.22
|
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.
4 May 2024 | 1-0 | 20' Laurienté, | fixture |
8 October 2022 | 1-2 | 45' Dzeko, 61' Frattesi, 76' Dzeko, | fixture |
2 October 2021 | 1-2 | 22' Berardi(Rig), 58' Dzeko, 78' Martínez(Rig), | fixture |
28 November 2020 | 0-3 | 4' Sanchez, 14' Chiriches(Aut), 62' Gagliardini, | fixture |
20 October 2019 | 3-4 | 2' Martínez, 16' Berardi, 38' Lukaku, 45' Lukaku(Rig), 72' Martínez(Rig), 75' Djuricic, 82' Boga, | fixture |
19 August 2018 | 1-0 | 27' Berardi(Rig), | fixture |
23 December 2017 | 1-0 | 34' Falcinelli, | fixture |
18 December 2016 | 0-1 | 47' Candreva, | fixture |
14 May 2016 | 3-1 | 6' Politano, 26' Pellegrini, 32' Palacio, 39' Politano, | fixture |
1 February 2015 | 3-1 | 17' Zaza, 30' Sansone, 83' Icardi, 93' Berardi(Rig), | fixture |
22 September 2013 | 0-7 | 7' Palacio, 23' Taïder, 33' Pucino(Aut), 54' Alvarez, 64' Milito, 76' Cambiasso, 84' Milito | fixture |
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 |