Inter Milan will be keen to put a difficult week behind them and get back on track in the Serie A title race as they face Sassuolo at home this weekend.
Inter Milan will be eager to put a difficult run of results behind them when they face Sassuolo at the San Siro on Sunday. While they are still very much in the race for the Serie A title, their Champions League campaign could soon come to an end following the midweek defeat to Liverpool.
When Inter Milan faced AC Milan in the blockbuster derby earlier in the month, they were expected to win the game and extend their lead at the top of the Serie A standings. Instead, the Rossoneri secured a comeback victory to close the gap on their competitors.
Milan have taken the top spot since, having played a game more than Inter. Inter will have a chance to keep up the pressure on their rivals at the top end of the table when they face Sassuolo.
Like Inter, Sassuolo need to get positive results on board after suffering two losses in their last three games in the league and cup. They only have a single victory in their previous five games across all competitions and only managed a 2-2 draw against Roma at home last time out, after going down to ten men.
Sassuolo have ambitions of finishing among the European places. However, their struggling form has left them 12 points behind sixth-placed Lazio, and their hopes of qualifying for continental competitions will hinge on their rivals faltering while they flourish in the coming weeks.
Sassuolo have a big task as they face champions Inter in the upcoming clash. They will be hoping for a positive result against a team looking to bounce back, although their record against the home side is dismal.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
? | PHOTOS
Nerazzurri gearing up for #InterSassuolo ⚽️
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— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) February 18, 2022
Inter are missing a host of important players for this clash, with Joaquin Correa, Alessandro Bastoni, Marcelo Brozovic and Robin Gosens all unavailable. The Croatian midfielder and the Italian defender are suspended for domestic action, while the other two are injured.
Hakan Calhanoglu is likely to play as a deep-lying playmaker in Brozovic’s absence, while Federico Dimarco should slot in Bastoni’s centre-back position. Despite the key defender’s absence, Simone Inzaghi is not expected to change his team’s shape and should continue with the same 3-5-2 formation.
Stefan de Vrij and Danilo D’Ambrosio could be the other two stars lining up at the back. In recent times, Denzel Dumfries has cemented his place at right wing-back, while Ivan Perisic should be selected on the opposite flank.
With Calhanoglu expected to fill Brozovic’s shoes, he will have Roberto Gagliardini and Nicolo Barella for company, with the latter returning after serving out a suspension in the Champions League tie against Liverpool. Alexis Sanchez could be starting in a front two alongside Lautaro Martinez.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Handanovic; D’Ambrosio, de Vrij, Dimarco; Dumfries, barella, Calhanoglu, Gagliardini, Perisic; Sanchez, Martinez
Sassuolo
The away side will also have key players missing, with Jeremy Toljan, Filip Djuricic and Pedro Obiang all unavailable for this clash through injuries. Meanwhile, Gian Marco Ferrari is also ruled out due to suspension.
Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca are available and will be in line to start the clash against Inter. Sassuolo will prefer to field a back four with Mert Muldur starting at right-back and Rogerio on the opposite flank.
Vlad Chiriches and Kaan Ayhan will continue their central defensive partnership, while Davide Frattesi and Maxime Lopez will be the preferred central midfield pairing. It will be their responsibility to ensure that Calhanoglu and Barella have quiet outings, which will be key for Sassuolo to stand a chance of winning the game.
The returning Raspadori will play in the advanced midfield role, with Domenico Berardi and Hamed Traore on either side of him in the final third. Scamacca will lead the line for Sassuolo.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Consigli; Muldur, Chiriches, Ayhan, Rogerio; Frattesi, Lopez; Berardi, Raspadori, Traore; Scamacca
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have won their last three matches against Sassuolo in all competitions.
- Inter Milan are unbeaten in 15 of their last 16 games in Serie A.
- Inter Milan have scored at least two goals in their last five games against Sassuolo in all competitions.
- Inter Milan have scored the most set-piece goals in the division this season.
- Sassuolo have lost 17 points from leading positions this season, making them the second-worst team in the division.
Player To Watch
Lautaro Martinez
Inter's Lautaro Martinez could leave the club this summer.
Reportedly, the front office is unhappy with the striker's goalless streak in the #UCL, and considering signing Juventus' Paulo Dybala or Lille's Johnathan David. ⚽️
Have you been enjoying Lautaro's play for Nerazzurri? pic.twitter.com/hQNne38oIP
— 1хBet (@1xBet_Eng) February 19, 2022
Goals have come at a premium rate for the Argentine of late, who still has a healthy tally this season. However, with the Serie A title race getting intense, it is time for Martinez to become the torch-bearer for the Nerazzurri in this chase.
The Argentine frontman will have to lead his Inter Milan teammates by example and become the determining factor in matches, starting with Sassuolo – particularly considering the reports in Italy claiming that the club is unhappy with his recent form and could consider axing him in the summer. An important period lies ahead for the 24-year-old striker.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 Sassuolo
Inter Milan may have lost some intensity with recent defeats in key games in the Serie A and Champions League, but the Sassuolo clash will provide them with the perfect chance to bounce back. The Neroverdi have hurt Inter in the past, but their current form has been poor and they could find it hard to get going at the San Siro. The reigning champions are expected to get three points in this clash.
