REGGIO EMILIA - We take a look at a few numbers ahead of Sassuolo v Inter as we count down to today's lunchtime kick-off. As always, our thanks go to Football Data for providing us with the stats.
Di Francesco seeking first home win in Serie A
Eusebio Di Francesco has yet to win at home in his first 16 matches as a coach in Serie A. His record on home soil at Lecce in 2011/12 and Sassuolo in 2013/14 stands at one draw and seven defeats.
First halves in 2013/14: no goals scored by Sassuolo, none conceded by Inter
Sassuolo v Inter sees one of the two Serie A sides yet to score in the first 45 minutes of games this season (Di Francesco's men are joined by Roma) face off against one of the three teams who have not conceded any goals in the first period (Livorno and Torino boast the same record as Mazzarri's men).
Inter reach 2700 mark in Serie A
When they take to the pitch against Sassuolo today, the Nerazzurri will clock up their 2700th game in Serie A since a single national league was formed in 1929/30 (regular-season fixtures only, not play-offs). Inter will be the first Italian club to reach this milestone, as they are the only team to have spent every season in the top flight. The numbers from the first 2699 games read W1338, D757, L604, with 4532 goals for and 2793 against. Inter's first match in the newly formed national championship was away to Livorno on 6 October 1929. The hosts took an early lead through Palandri (6) before Rivolta (31) and Meazza (60) turned it around to seal a 2-1 victory.
Two clean sheets in a row for Inter – first time in a year
Inter have not conceded on the road for 192 minutes, since Cavani scored in the 78th minute of Napoli 3-1 Inter on 5 May last season. The Nerazzurri back line has remained unbreached in the 12 remaining minutes of that game plus the matches played at Genoa (0-0, Serie A 2012/13) and Catania (3-0, Serie A 2013/14), keeping two consecutive clean sheets on their travels for the first time in a year.
Birthday boy Kuzmanovic
Zdravko Kuzmanovic turns 26 today: he was born in Thun, Switzerland, on 22 September 1987.
One game, one defeat and one sacking for Di Francesco against Mazzarri
Eusebio Di Francesco and Walter Mazzarri have crossed paths on just one previous occasion as coaches: Napoli 4-2 Lecce (Serie A) on 3 December 2011, a result that led to the current Sassuolo boss being relieved of his coaching duties for the second time in this career.
First time for De Francesco against the Nerazzurri...
Eusebio Di Francesco has never met Inter in a competitive match during his coaching career. As a player, he crossed swords with Inter 16 times, ending up on the losing side on 12 occasions with two draws and two victories. The former Piacenza and Roma midfielder also notched two goals in those fixtures.
...and first for Mazzarri against Sassuolo
Walter Mazzarri is facing Sassuolo for the first time in a competitive match as a coach.
