It’s essential to start the season on a positive note for the Nerazzurri, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm for fans and also to repay the faith shown by the management. Inter have a chance to inflict defeat on regular tormentors Sassuolo as the Nerazzurri have lost 5 of their last 6 encounters against the Neroverdi, including a back to back defeat last season. The Nerazzurri will be hoping to break the jinx when they face off on tonight as the season officially kicks off.
Attack:
Mauro Icardi rounded last season off as capocannoniere for the second time, joint with Immobile on 29 goals. Inter finished with 66 goals from 15.1 shots per game, averaging 1.7 goals per game last season. This campaign they have added some exquisite attacking options: Keita Balde – 8 goals, Matteo Politano – 11 goals and Lautaro Martinez – 20 goals in all competitions last season. Adding to Perisic – 11 goals last season, while Brozovic and Skriniar hit 4 goals each. Unfortunately for Sassuolo their top marksman, Politano, is now starring for the Nerazzurri but they still have Domenico Berardi who was their second highest goalscorer last season with 4 goals
Defence:
Inter were defensively solid last season until they conceded 8 goals in their final 5 games. They conceded a total 30 goals; Juve, Roma and Napoli the only teams with a better record. Inter averaged 16.6 tackles per game, D’Ambrosio averaged 2.4 tackles per game while Gagliardini made the most interceptions per game with 1.5. Milan Skriniar averaged the most clearances and blocks per game with 4.5 and 0.7 respectively. Sassuolo averaged 14.9 tackles per game last season but conceded 59 goals total.
Moving the ball:
Inter had an average of 55.1% ball possession per game and 85.7% pass accuracy per game last season. Skriniar averaged 62.6 passes per game and 91.2% pass accuracy per game, only Borja Valero was better with 91.6%. Inter completed 9.3 dribbles per game. In terms of contribution towards goals, Perisic and Brozovic were tied at 8 assists each. Meanwhile Sassuolo needs to improve from their 44.8% averaged possession and 75.6% pass accuracy.
WhoScored.com Rating Leaders:
Ivan Perisic (7.35), Mauro Icardi (7.28) and Milan Skriniar (7.20) were Inter’s best rated players last season. While Sassuolo lost their two best rated performers this summer, the new order is Simeone Missiroli (6.94), Pol Lirola (6.69) and Francesco Magnanelli (6.69).
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