As the Serie A season intensifies, league leaders Inter Milan will face off against Sassuolo this Sunday evening. Inter, unbeaten in their last 11 league matches, aim to solidify their lead at the top of the table with a potential eight-point advantage over second-placed AC Milan.
Match Preview
Inter’s recent form has been stellar. Last week, they triumphed over Cremonese, thanks to goals from Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski. This victory marked Inter’s third consecutive win in all competitions. Prior wins include a commanding 6-2 victory against Pisa and a solid 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund, the latter securing their place in an upcoming Champions League playoff against Bodo/Glimt.
In addition to their league success, Inter progressed to the Coppa Italia semi-finals by defeating Torino 2-1, despite fielding a rotated squad. Cristian Chivu’s men will now meet either Napoli or Como in the semi-finals, as they continue their pursuit of both domestic honors and European glory.
Recent Form and Statistics
Inter has shown remarkable prowess on the road, winning their last seven Serie A away matches, which is their third-best streak in top-flight history. However, Sassuolo has proven to be a challenging opponent, winning 10 of their previous 23 encounters. Notably, Sassuolo has secured victories in two of their last three meetings with Inter, though they lost 2-1 during the earlier match at San Siro this season.
- Inter Milan Current Serie A Form: W D W W W W
- Sassuolo Current Serie A Form: D L L L W W
Sassuolo, on the other hand, sits safely in mid-table with 29 points after a recent 3-1 victory over Pisa, led by their star player, Domenico Berardi. This win marks their first consecutive victories in Serie A since October, offering hope after a challenging period of three straight defeats.
Team News
Inter will likely revert to a more familiar lineup for this crucial match. Federico Dimarco, named Serie A’s Player of the Month in January, is expected to play a key role. However, Inter will be without key players Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolò Barella. Carlos Augusto, who missed recent matches, is set to return.
Sassuolo’s squad will feature players like Berardi, who has been a consistent scorer, alongside Andrea Pinamonti and Armand Lauriente. The team faces injury concerns with long-term absentees Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande, while Daniel Boloca’s availability remains uncertain due to a knee injury.
Possible Starting Lineups
| Inter Milan | Sassuolo |
|---|---|
| Sommer | Muric |
| Bisseck | Walukiewicz |
| Akanji | Idzes |
| Bastoni | Muharemovic |
| Henrique | Doig |
| Sucic | Thorstvedt |
| Zielinski | Matic |
| Mkhitaryan | Kone |
| Dimarco | Berardi |
| Thuram | Pinamonti |
| Martinez | Lauriente |
In summary, while Sassuolo will be a tough opponent, Inter Milan’s current form and depth in attack should facilitate a solid performance. Fans can expect a thrilling encounter as both teams vie for critical points in the Serie A standings.
Prediction: Sassuolo 1 – 2 Inter Milan
