Sassuolo vs. Inter, live updates

SASSUOLO 0-1 INTER

Goalscorer: 63' Dzeko (I)

SASSUOLO (4-3-3): 25 Pegolo (64 Russo 84'); 22 Toljan (77 Kiriakopoulos 84'), 44 Ruan Tressoldi (19 Romagna 84'), 13 Ferrari (5 Ayhan 84'), 6 Rogerio (3 Marchizza 72'); 23 Traoré (18 Antiste 84'), 7 Henrique (8 Harroui 84'), 16 Frattesi (14 Obiang 72'); 92 Defrel (35 D'Andrea 72'), 9 Pinamonti (11 Alvarez 72'), 15 Ceide (42 Thorstvedt 59'). Substitutes: 30 Zacchi. Coach: Alessio Dionisi. INTER (3-5-2): 24 Onana; 37 Skriniar (33 D'Ambrosio 71'), 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni (36 Darmian 71'); 12 Bellanova (2 Dumfries 71'), 23 Barella (46 Zanotti 84'), 20 Calhanoglu (14 Asllani 71'), 22 Mkhitaryan (5 Gagliardini 49'), 32 Dimarco (8 Gosens 71'); 9 Dzeko (11 Correa 71'), 90 Lukaku (45 Carboni 84'). Substitutes: 1 Handanovic, 55 Brazao, 42 Curatolo, 47 Fontanarosa, 50 Stankovic. Coach: Simone Inzaghi.

Booked: Traoré (S), Skriniar (I), Barella (I)

Referee: Maggioni. Linesmen: Saccenti, Marchi. Fourth official: Prontera.

Inter's 2022 ends with a victory after beating Sassuolo 1-0 at Reggio Emilia in the fifth and final friendly match of December. A goal from Dzeko (who had decided this match in the league with a brace) scored in the second half and made the final score 1-0, in a match completely dominated by Inzaghi's team: Onana was never called upon, while there were many important scoring opportunities created forward. An excellent Inter side, who also got Dumfries and Correa back, and who gave more important minutes to Romelu Lukaku, who played 83 minutes. As in Reggio Calabria, Edin Dzeko left his mark on the Nerazzurri victory, with Inzaghi's team preparing in the best possible way for the 4 January appointment with Napoli, when Serie A starts again. Inter toned it down, once again fielding Dzeko and Lukaku up front. The chances rained down in the first half, with Sassuolo unable to contain the Nerazzurri press. Everyone was involved in the attacking moves, and in the first half, it was Skriniar who served Lukaku, who came close to scoring, and in the second half it was Bastoni, advancing as a trequartista, who set up Dzeko for the winning goal.

Inter were fluid, with Dimarco pushing forward well and Mkhitaryan very mobile and troublesome, before being forced off at the start of the second half. It was the Armenian, in fact, who found the net in the 30th minute, on a great assist from Barella. A wonderful goal, cancelled out for an alleged offside, which could not be verified as VAR was not provided for this friendly engagement.

In the second half, Sassuolo tried to fight back, but it was Inter who struck the blow: Bastoni, applying constant pressure, stole the ball in their half, dribbled and played in Dzeko, who beat Pegolo with his left foot. Then the changes offset the teams but it was always Inter who came close to scoring again and again. The hosts' goalkeeper denied Gagliardini and Asllani, Lukaku was denied by Ruan Tressoldi's save. 94 minutes of good Inter football, D'Ambrosio also returning and, in fact, no real shots on goal conceded. The best way to say goodbye to 2022 and dive head first into 2023.

LIVE UPDATES

FULL-TIME: SASSUOLO 0-1 INTER

80' A good counter-attack from Inter sees Correa pick out Lukaku. The Belgian's attempt is blocked.

78' Pegolo somehow denies Gagliardini before Tressoldi gets in the way of Lukaku's shot. From the resulting corner, Barella sends the ball over the bar.

65' The corner is played in and Dzeko can't quite keep his half-volley down. Almost a second!

63' GOAL! Dzeko gives Inter the lead after great work from Bastoni!

56' A nice Inter move ends with Lukaku volleying towards goal but play is stopped with the Belgian in an offside position.

48' Sassuolo have their first meaningful effort as Ceide's attempt is deflected narrowly wide.

The second half kicks off.

HALF-TIME: SASSUOLO 0-0 INTER

44' Barella curls one with his left foot but it finishes over the bar.

39' Lukaku holds off the defender and finds Dimarco, whose shot is deflected behind for a corner.

30' Mkhitaryan finishes off Barella's through ball but the goal is ruled out for offside.

20' Mkhitaryan plays a ball across the face of goal but Lukaku is unable to get on the end of it.

12' Skriniar sends in a low cross after an excellent team move. Lukaku looks to latch onto it but the defender does enough to thwart him.

3' Dimarco plays in a ball for Dzeko, whose volley is saved by Pegolo.

1' Sassuolo vs. Inter kicks off!

Prior to the match between Sassuolo and Inter, the two clubs represented by Giovanni Carnevali and Giuseppe Marotta exchanged gifts to celebrate this special friendly and to commemorate the fundraising campaign initiated by Sassuolo Calcio in favour of Sassuolo's hospital.

A fundraiser aimed at purchasing a device for hysteroscopy, a procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of various pathological conditions in women.