Inter got back to winning ways in the Serie A after beating Sassuolo 2-1 away at the Mapei Stadium thanks to a brace from Edin Dzeko, who has now scored over a century of goals in the Italian top flight.
The Nerazzurri started the game decently, controlling the game and patiently building up from the back, absorbing Sassuolo’s high press, and hurting them on the counter.
However, for all the chances the visitors created they missed every single one until Edin Dzeko got on the end of a Denzel Dumfries header from a Hakan Calhanoglu corner to score his 100th goal in the Serie A.
In the second half Sassuolo increased the tempo and Inter looked to be in control until Davide Frattesi headed home a lovely cross from Rogerio.
Instead of panicking, Inter methodically worked themselves into the game and Edin Dzeko headed home a lovely cross from Henrikh Mkhitaryan for the winner.
André Onana – 6,5: Had a decent game, making a few good saves with his feet, especially in the first half. Communicates well with the central defenders surprisingly well given the few number of games he’s played.
Danilo D’Ambrosio – 6: The captain of the day gave a decent performance defensively where he worked well as a unit with the other defenders. Booked and subsequently brought off handing armband to Lautaro Martinez.
Francesco Acerbi – 7: Inter’s best defender by a mile today. Very cool, calm and levelheaded where he didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and led Inter’s back-line, making few if any mistakes. Big upgrade on Andrea Ranocchia.
Alessandro Bastoni – 6,5: Another step in the right direction for the young defender who is slowly but surely working himself into form. Beginning to offer more offensively as well which is very welcome for Inter.
Denzel Dumfries – 6,5: Had a good first half beating his man for pace pretty much every time and delivering good first time crosses as well as proving assist for opener. Dropped off in energy as well as quality in second half.
Nicolo Barella – 7: A good performance by the Italian international, working really hard defensively, offering support in attack as well as key in transporting the ball well in the buildup phase.
Kristjan Asllani – 5,5: A step back for the youngster as he didn’t have a good first half at all, misplacing simple passes, poor finishing and generally looked off the pace getting booked unnecessarily as well.
Hakan Calhanoglu – 6,5: Decent game by the Turkish international who looks so much more relaxed on the pitch, especially with the ball at his feet. Played some great first touch long balls which attack couldn’t capitalize on.
Federico Dimarco – 6: Other than one trademark diagonal cross-ball and a few crosses, he didn’t have much of an impact on the game offensively today. Has improved his positioning and work rate defensively a lot compared to start of season.
Lautaro Martinez – 5,5: A bad performance by the Argentinian international, not just for the several squandered chances he failed to even get on target, but also didn’t contribute like he usually does in the buildup.
Edin Dzeko – 7: The rating is for the two goals, his work-rate and leadership on the pitch but his overall play on the pitch can’t be any higher than a 6 at most. Scored his 100th and 101st goals in the Serie A to win the game.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7: Came on at halftime for Asllani and was Inter’s best player on the day. Got the assist for the winner and provided Inter’s midfield with the kind of safe passing, intelligence and calm needed against an aggressive high pressing Sassuolo.
Milan Skriniar – 6: Brought on for D’Ambrosio in the 58th minute and had a nightmarish start when Frattesi equalized two minutes later as entire Inter back-line went walkabout forgetting who was marking who. Worked himself into the game and did so well.
Matteo Darmian – 6: Replaced Dimarco in the 68th minute and did so well providing depth, width and piercing movement down the left flank which ultimately led to the winner.
Roberto Gagliardini – N/A: Substituted Nicolo Barella in the 84th minute and didn’t play long enough to be able to be rated.
Simone Inzaghi – 6: Didn’t get the selection of Asllani right who struggled but quickly and proactively reacted to it by bringing off Mkhitaryan on at halftime which proved to be the correct move given the Armenian’s performance.
Simone Sozza – 7: Good performance by the referee and his team getting all important and major decisions right and maintaining a consistent level throughout the game.
Inter – 6,5: Not the best performance but an important result at a difficult ground but above all acting like a big team when not panicking after Sassuolo’s equalizer. Instead systematically working themselves into and winning game.
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