MILAN - It was Inter’s season debut at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, and coach Walter Mazzarri confirmed that the club would be restarting with youth. Among these were Kovacic, Dodo and Icardi, who all happened to have a hand in Inter’s victory. After only four minutes the Croat picked up the ball down the left and blew past two defenders before serving Maurito. The Argentine saw his first attempt well saved by Consigli but managed to finish the job on the rebound. 1-0.
The Nerazzurri midfield was stepping up the pace as Medel provided order in the centre and Dodo bombed down the flank. On 13 minutes the guests countered and Vrsaljko provided an angled cross for Zaza who failed to get a touch on the ball in front of the Inter goal. Sassuolo’s Croat then came off with an injury shortly afterwards with Gazzola taking his place. Nagatomo nearly claimed a goal when he volleyed Dodo’s cross but the ball was deflected out. Then Kovacic exchanged passes with Osvaldo before coolly finishing to make it 2-0, bringing a roar of applause from the San Siro crowd.
In the 30th minute Hernanes worked his magic to pick out Icardi for the third goal as he finished with a delightful bending shot inside the far post. But the half still had more in store. An irresistible Dodo stormed down the left flank and his effort was somehow kept out by Consigli, but the keeper was helpless when Osvaldo knocked home the rebound for his first goal of the season. After one minute of added time the half ended, leaving the Nerazzurri fans to enjoy the sunshine and the 4-0 lead.
The second half started right where the previous one had left off, with Osvado testing Consigli from distance early on. Then Hernanes passed to Kovacic and the Croat conjured up the same kind of assist he created in Inter v Lazio last May, allowing Icardi to grab his hat-trick. On 60 minutes Berardi threw an elbow into Juan Jesus’ face leaving Calvarese no choice but to show him the red card. Two substitutions followed: M'Baye for Nagatomo and Guarin for Kovacic, with the number 10 receiving a standing ovation as he exited the pitch.
In the 72nd minute Guarin spotted Osvaldo in the box, leaving him with a tap-in to take the score to 6-0. The Colombian wasn’t satisfied though and had a go himself, watching his powerful shot cannon off the post and into the goal. 7-0. Another Inter sub followed as Palacio came on for Dodo.
The match ended with the same score from last season’s Week 4 meeting between the two sides, on 23 September 2013. The last time Inter scored seven goals at home, however, took place during the Trapattoni era when they defeated Atalanta 7-2. To find the last 7-0 victory one needs to go back to 13 March 1966. The 'Grande Inter' side destroyed Brescia with a brace from Domenghini, a hat-trick from Mazzola and goals from Jair and Facchetti.
At any rate, Nerazzurri fans saw a near-perfect Inter on display today. But the team will need to quickly move on and recharge their batteries, since a trip to Kiev awaits on Wednesday and a strong start to the European campaign will be crucial.
Inter 7-0 Sassuolo (HT: 4-0)
Scorers: Icardi 4, 30, 53, Kovacic 21, Osvaldo 43, 72, Guarin 74.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 6 Andreolli, 23 Ranocchia, 5 Juan Jesus; 55 Nagatomo (Mbaye, 62), 88 Hernanes, 18 Medel, 10 Kovacic (Guarin, 65), 22 Dodo (Palacio, 76); 7 Osvaldo, 9 Icardi.
Unused subs: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 14 Campagnaro, 17 Kuzmanovic, 20 Obi, 33 D'Ambrosio, 44 Krhin, 90 M'Vila.
Coach: Walter Mazzarri.
Sassuolo: 47 Consigli, 11Vrsaljko (Gazzola, 62), 26 Terranova, 13 Ariaudo, 31 Peluso, 8 Biondini, 4 Magnanelli (Taider, 46), 7 Missiroli, 10 Zaza (Pavoletti, 66), 17 Sansone, 25 Berardi.
Unused subs: 1 Pomini, 3 Longhi, 5 Antei, 15 Acerbi, 16 Polito, 33 Brighi, 83 Floro Flores, 95 Gliozzi, 99 Floccari.
Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco.
Referee: Calvarese (Teramo).
Assistant referees: Vuoto, Longo.
Additional assistants: Russo, Aureliano.
4th official: Padovan.
Added time: 1 + 2.
Booked: Ariaudo 33.
Sent off: Berardi 59.
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LE PAROLE DI MAZZARRI POST INTER - SASSUOLO
