REGGIO EMILIA – It was the second consecutive loss for the Nerazzurri after the home defeat to Udinese as they left the Mapei Stadium with nothing despite spending most of the game on the attack. A counterattack in the first half and Mauro Icardi’s penalty miss proved fatal.
Inter started well and created a number of chances in the opening 15 minutes including a central left-foot Candreva strike and a Skriniar header that went over. The Nerazzurri pushed hard up the flanks and made a number of crosses without being able to find the net.
Halfway through the first half, the home side had their first chance as Berardi controlled it with his shoulder before dragging the shot wide. A minute later, Icardi missed from close range but the flag later went up for offside. Perisic then tried with his head but Consigli punched it away. In the 35th minute, Sassuolo took the lead. Politano ran the length of the pitch and crossed to the far post where Falcinelli was able to head past Handanovic.
Inter responded with a Candreva shot that went wide. Brozovic then flicked it over the defence to Icardi, the captain took it past Consigli but Acerbi cleared before he could finish.
At the break, Eder came on for Brozovic. Inter started on the front foot and Cancelo’s cross was stopped by Acerbi’s hand with Doveri awarding the penalty. Icardi stepped up to take it but Consigli went the right way and made the save. Inter continued to push forward but Sassuolo defended well and posed a threat on the counterattack. Falcinelli had a good chance from one of these but fired over.
In the 74th minute, Perisic tried against with his head but Goldaniga cleared. Spalletti had to make a second change with D’Ambrosio making way with an issue and Dalbert came on. Joao Mario then replaced Miranda. Icardi missed a big chance in the 82nd minute after being picked out by Perisic. Two minutes later, Icardi’s knockdown fell to Eder who fired wide.
Inter were playing with their hearts more than their heads in the final assault on goal and Doveri blew the final whistle after five minutes of additional time and it was the second defeat of the season for the Nerazzurri.
SASSUOLO 1-0 INTER
Scorers: 35' Falcinelli
SASSUOLO: 47 Consigli; 21 Lirola, 24 Goldaniga, 15 Acerbi, 13 Peluso; 7 Missiroli, 4 Magnanelli, 32 Duncan (94' Cannavaro 28); 25 Berardi (63' Ragusa 90), 11 Falcinelli, 16 Politano (83' Mazzitelli 6).
Bench: 77 Pegolo, 10 Matri, 14 Scamacca, 17 Pierini, 22 Frattesi, 23 Gazzola, 26 Oliveira.
Coach: Giuseppe Iachini
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio (77' Dalbert 29), 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda (80' J. Mario 10), 7 Cancelo; 5 Gagliardini, 20 B. Valero; 87 Candreva, 77 Brozovic (46' Eder 23), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.
Bench: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 13 Ranocchia, 17 Karamoh, 21 Santon, 55 Nagatomo, 99 Pinamonti.
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
Bookings: Brozovic (21'), Missiroli (73'), Cancelo (74')
Additional Time: 1' - 5'
Referee: Doveri
Assistants: Marrazzo, Peretti
Fourth Official: Pasqua
VAR Operators: Mazzoleni, Meli
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