REGGIO EMILIA - Stefano Pioli's side returned to winning ways on the road thanks to a deserved 1-0 win at Mapei Stadium.
There was a fast tempo at the start of proceedings albeit without any genuine goalscoring chances. The first opportunity of the match came on 9 minutes, as the hosts failed to make the most of a goalmouth scramble following a corner. Inter, meanwhile, had the first effort of the match one minute later. The Neroverdi defence cleared only as far as Candreva, who stung the palms of Consigli. Inter continued to push forward, winning a couple of corners, but once again it was Candreva who had the best of the chances. His effort from the edge of the box struck Acerbi, wrongfooted Consigli and cannoned back off the post.
Sassuolo responded midway through the opening period via a couple of forays forward from Ragusa. Ricci got in front of Murillo from the first but shot off target. Inter very nearly took the lead moments later, as Icardi came to life. The captain rose highest to meet Candreva's cross from the right but his header flew inches wide. It was a lively match and Sensi did well to pick out Defrel from a driven through ball: the Frenchman hurled himself at it and Handanovic was alert to the danger, producing a good instinctive stop. At the end of the first half Candreva beat Dell'Orco and found Perisic who was denied by a brilliant save from Consigli with his "wrong" hand.
Inter took the lead shortly after the break. Felipe Melo won the ball back yet again, Joao Mario beat his man and shot towards the far corner. Though Consigli got down sharply to push the ball away, Candreva was on hand to smash home the rebound at the near post. Di Francesco sent on Missiroli and Matri, as his side went in search of an equaliser and the former found Sensi at the back post, who controlled his volley well and drew a fine stop from Handanovic. The Nerazzurri also made their first susbtitution midway through the second half, as Banega replaced Joao Mario. The Portuguese was cautioned moments before being replaced, meaning he will miss Wednesday's match at home to Lazio through suspension.
Sassuolo pushed hard in search of a leveller late on and very nearly scored in fortuitous circumstances. Miranda cleared the ball off Ragusa and it flew perilously close to the corner of the net. The best opportunities though fell the way of Perisic, who was twice denied by Consigli when one on one. Gabriel Barbosa came on during stoppage time, before Felipe Melo was sent off for a second yellow card. Inter held firm during five minutes of added time and returned to winning ways on the road.
Sassuolo 0-1 Inter (HT: 0-0)
Goalscorers: Candreva 47.
Sassuolo: 47 Consigli; 20 Lirola, 5 Antei, 15
Acerbi, 39 Dell'Orco; 6 Pellegrini (7 Missiroli 60), 12 Sensi, 22
Mazzitelli (9 Iemmello 76); 27 Ricci (10 Matri 60), 11 Defrel, 90
Ragusa.
Subs not used: 1 Pomini, 79 Pegolo, 17 Pierini, 26 Terranova, 33 Franchini, 38 Erlic, 98 Adjapong.
Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 25 Miranda, 24
Murillo; 87 Candreva (96 Barbosa 90), 77 Brozovic, 5 Melo, 15 Ansaldi; 6
Joao Mario (19 Banega 69), 9 Icardi, 44 Perisic.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 2 Andreolli, 7 Kondogbia, 8 Palacio, 11 Biabiany, 13 Ranocchia, 21 Santon, 23 Eder, 55 Nagatomo, 96 Barbosa.
Coach: Stefano Pioli.
Booked: Missiroli 61, Joao Mario 68, Brozovic 73, Barbosa 90+2.
Sent off: Melo 90+1 (two bookable offences).
Added time: 0+4 minutes.
Referee: Di Bello
Assistants: Marzaloni & Vivenzi.
Fourth official: Peretti.
Additional assistants: Russo & Pinzani.
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