The weight of this fixture is so significant that anything other than winning is unacceptable for Inter. With just two points now separating 4th place Lazio from the Nerazzurri, it is very possible that the last Champions League spot could be decided on the final day when the Biancocelesti host the the Nerazzurri at the Olimpico. For now the Nerazzurri have everything to play for in order to keep the fight going. Sassuolo have a very good record against Inter, winning the last encounter earlier this season at home.
Attack:
Inter have scored at least two goals in each of their last four games. They have accumulated 62 goals in total, averaging 1.7 goals from 15 shots per game. The Nerazzurri have scored 36 goals at San Siro, only Napoli, Juve and Lazio have scored more at home. Inter’s ruthlessness in front of goal is increasingly scary, 12 goals in their last 4 games, with striker Mauro Icardi firing in each of those games, notching up 28 goals this season, just one behind current Serie A top scorer Ciro Immobile. Sassuolo has the worst goal scoring rate in the league with just 27 goals, averaging 0.8 goals from 13.1 shots per game. Politano has taken the mantle of leadership from the disappointing Berardi, scoring 9 goals as well as assisting 4 times.
Defence:
The Nerazzurri continue to be solid defensively, conceding 26 goals, being second best after Juve who have conceded 23 goals. Sassuolo have conceded 57 goals but they have kept clean sheets in three of their last four games. The Nerazzurri defence makes an average of 16.5 tackles per game and 10.9 interceptions per game. D’Ambrosio leads the charge with 2.5 tackles per game and 1.4 interception per game with Gagliardini ruled out through injury. Signing of the season Skriniar solidifies the back line with 4.7 clearances per game and 0.7 blocks per game. The Neroverdi on the other hand average 14.9 tackles per game and 13.4 interceptions per game.
Moving the ball:
Inter have an average of 85.6% pass accuracy per game with Skriniar averaging 62.2 passes per game with a 91% success rate, only Borja Valero is better at 91.5%. The Nerazzurri also average 54.8% in possession of the ball per game. Candreva has made 8 assists alongside with Croatian duo Perisic and Brozovic, as well as 2.1 key passes per game and also only 1.8 crosses per game. Inter have completed 9.2 dribbles per game with Rafinha averaging 2.1 dribbles per game. Meanwhile Sassuolo have recorded 45.1% ball possession and 75.8% pass accuracy.
Whoscored rating leaders:
Perisic (7.39), Icardi (7.31) and Skriniar (7.24) still retain the top three positions. Meanwhile Politano (6.99), Acerbi (6.97) and Misiroli (6.91) are the three best rated performers for the Neroverdi according to WhoScored.
Do you have a stat you want us to highlight? Discuss in the comments below.
Don’t forget to hit us up on InterStats & SempreInter on Twitter using the #InterStats and #SempreInterLIVE before, during and after the game for unrivaled quality coverage of the fixture.
