REGGIO EMILIA – A gloriously sunny day greeted the Nerazzurri in Reggio Emilia this afternoon, with the stadium packed out for what promised to be an absorbing contest. Roberto Mancini picked a starting eleven of Handanovic, Donkor, Ranocchia, Vidic, Dodo, Medel, Guarin, Shaqiri, Kovacic, Palacio and Podolski.
Inter started well, with both Donkor and Vidic coming close to opening the scoring thanks to well-placed deliveries from Shaqiri. However, the Nerazzurri were caught off guard when Simone Zaza worked a yard of space from Vidic to crash home an excellent strike past Handanovic on 17 minutes.
The Nerazzurri looked threatening going forward, without making the breakthrough. In the 21st minute, Kovacic chose to look for Podolski instead of going for goal, when the latter seemed the better option. Minutes later, there was another body blow for Mancini’s side. Nicola Sansone cut in dangerously from the left, unleashing a majestic dipping shot that left Handanovic with no chance.
The second half saw Inter switch to a back three, with Medel slotting in beside Ranocchia and Vidic, whilst Icardi was thrown into the fray barely 10 minutes later. The changes seemed to have their desired effect, with Shaqiri denied by the post on 64 minutes.
Marcelo Brozovic came on to make his Inter debut in the 69th minute, replacing Vidic in a move that saw the Nerazzurri revert to a back four. Six minutes later, Dodo had a gilt-edged opportunity to score, but his header from Brozovic’s cross was somehow kept out by Consigli.
Puscas came on late in the game for Palacio, and the young Romanian nearly had the perfect impact, cutting in from the left and drawing yet another good save from Consigli. Inter finally got their goal on 82 minutes, as Icardi pounced on an errant backpass to jink past the Sassuolo keeper and slot home for 2-1.
A tempestuous last 15 minutes saw Nicola Sansone sent off for a second yellow after a push on Shaqiri, whilst Donkor also got his marching orders as he brought down Zaza to concede a penalty. Berardi made no mistake from the spot, ensuring that Sassuolo took all three points.
SASSUOLO 3-1 INTER
Scorers: Zaza (17), Sansone (30), Icardi (83), Berardi (90+3, pen.)
SASSUOLO: 47 Consigli; 11 Vrsaljko, 28 Cannavaro, 26 Terranova (Brighi 81), 3 Longhi (Gazzola 61); 8 Biondini, 4 Magnanelli, 7 Missiroli (Antei 75); 25 Berardi, 10 Zaza, 17 Sansone.
Subs not used: 1 Pomini, 16 Polito, 6 Chibsah, 20 Bianco, 52 Lodesani, 96 Sereni, 99 Floccari.
Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 54 Donkor, 15 Vidic (Brozovic 69), 23 Ranocchia, 22 Dodo; 13 Guarin, 18 Medel; 91 Shaqiri, 10 Kovacic, 8 Palacio (Puscas 78); 11 Podolski (Icardi 56).
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 46 Berni, 17 Kuzmanovic, 20 Obi, 24 Sciacca, 88 Hernanes, 93 Dimarco, 97 Bonazzoli.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.
Booked: Missiroli (10), Zaza (12), Ranocchia (21), Vidic (66), Donkor (78), Icardi (84), Berardi (85), Medel (90+1).
Sent off: Sansone (89, second bookable offence), Donkor (90+2, second bookable offence).
Added time: 0 + 6 minutes.
Referee: Valeri.
Assistants: Costanzo, Schenone.
Fourth official: Passeri.
Additional assistants: Cervellera, La Penna.
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
INTERVISTA MANCINI POST SASSUOLO INTER
