Serie A Preview: Inter vs Sassuolo – Team News, Line-ups & Prediction | OneFootball

Inter return to Serie A action tonight as they host newly promoted Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. Fresh off beating Ajax at the start of their Champions League campaign, Cristian Chivu’s men will seek redemption for last weekend’s Derby d’Italia upset.

Despite overturning an early deficit to go 3-2 up, Inter slumped to a 4-3 defeat to bitter rivals Juventus last Saturday. Star forward Marcus Thuram came under fire and risked falling out of favor with the Nerazzurri fans after being caught laughing on the pitch, with his side a goal down.

However, the Frenchman replied to criticism in the best possible way, netting two identical goals to inspire Inter to a 2-0 away win over Ajax. Hakan Calhanoglu registered both assists, as Thuram headed home on the near post to help Chivu take three points on his touchline debut in the Champions League.

There’s no room for complacency, as Inter already trail Juventus by seven points. Chivu’s charges have lost twice in the opening three Serie A rounds. Therefore, victory against the newcomers will be imperative. Sassuolo failed to impress on their top-flight return, losing back-to-back league games to Napoli and Cremonese.

The Neroverdi found their feet last weekend, pulling off a narrow 1-0 home win over Lazio to finally get off the mark. Yet, Fabio Grosso, who returns to his old stomping ground, must be aware of the magnitude of the task awaiting his players this weekend.

Match Preview

Inter

Despite overseeing a 5-0 rout of Torino on his Serie A debut as Inter manager, Chivu has already come under heavy scrutiny. Indeed, Inter lost twice in a row to Udinese and Juventus, dropping points from winning positions on both occasions. As a result, they’re staring down the barrel of a three-game losing streak in Serie A for the first time since April 2023.

Furthermore, another defeat would see them match an unwanted club record of three losses in the opening four games of a top-flight season, set in 1983/84. Inter head into proceedings as clear-cut favorites, yet they would be naive to take anything for granted. For context, Sassuolo were the only side to beat them twice during their 2023/24 Scudetto-winning campaign.

Scoring first may be decisive for Inter here, considering six of their last nine league matches have seen at least one side fail to get on the scoresheet. A fast start is a genuine possibility, especially considering that five of Inter’s seven most recent home league games have featured the opening goal within 20 minutes.

Sassuolo

Sassuolo were the only team in Serie A to finish the first two rounds without a point. However, after bouncing back with a hard-fought victory over Lazio at the Mapei Stadium, the Neroverdi could post back-to-back top-flight wins for the first time since September 2023.

With both their triumphs this season yielding a 1-0 scoreline, defensive solidity could be crucial to Sassuolo’s bid to defy the odds. Worryingly, Grosso’s men have conceded at least two goals in eight of their last 11 Serie A outings, suggesting Inter’s formidable frontline could have a field day.

Yet, Giuseppe Meazza has been a happy hunting ground for Sassuolo. Indeed, they have won five away league matches over Inter – more than against any other club in the top flight. That said, Grosso’s lads have suffered as many as 11 defeats from their last 14 road trips in Serie A (D3).

Team News

Despite being rested in Amsterdam on Wednesday, Inter captain Lautaro Martinez may stay on the bench again tonight. Rising star Francesco Pio Esposito is the favorite to start over Ange-Yoan Bonny, with Thuram expected to lead the line. Petar Sucic and Francesco Acerbi may return to the starting XI after being left on the bench against Ajax.

As for Sassuolo, right-back Sebastian Walukiewicz could miss the match after being withdrawn against Lazio. But with Laurs Skjellerup returning from injury, Yeferson Paz will be the only absentee in the traveling camp. Domenico Berardi and Armand Lauriente will likely support Andrea Pinamonti in attack.

Inter vs Sassuolo Potential Starting Line-ups

Inter (3-5-2): Martinez; Akanji, Acerbi, Augusto; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Dimarco; Esposito, Thuram.

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Coulibaly, Idzes, Muharemovic, Doig; Kone, Matic, Vranckx; Berardi, Pinamonti, Lauriente.

Inter vs Sassuolo Prediction

With Napoli starting their title-defending season in unforgiving form, there’s no margin for error if Inter are to return to the Scudetto picture. Sassuolo bolstered their spirits last weekend, but it’s hard to see them leaving San Siro undefeated.