February 21, (THEWILL) – Defending champions Inter Milan missed out on a chance to go top of Serie A after losing 2-0 at Sassuolo on Sunday. They were beaten at San Siro with Giacomo Raspadori opening the scoring after only eight minutes, and Gianluca Scamacca doubling the deficit in the first half.
Simone Inzaghi’s team had the most of possession but were unable to break down Alessio Dionisi’s defence, leaving the Nerazzurri with just one win in their past five games in all competitions.
On Saturday, as THEWILL reported, leaders Milan were held by Salernitana, but Inter, who have played one fewer game, missed out on the chance to go a point clear at the top.
Before Raspadori slid a finish from inside the box beneath Samir Handanovic to open the lead in the eighth minute, Hamed Traore skewed the only presentable chance of the game off target.
Hakan Calhanoglu came close too with a long-range effort that went just wide, but Sassuolo doubled their lead soon after when Scamacca headed in Traore’s cross with the help of the post.
In the hectic first half for the hosts, Milan Skriniar and Roberto Gagliardini were denied by Andrea Consigli and Roberto Gagliardini, respectively, while Domenico Berardi curled his shot against the crossbar.
At halftime, manager Inzaghi made two substitutions, with Edin Dzeko making an almost immediate effect. Consigli was drawn into a wonderful double save to deny Dzeko from close range, before Lautaro Martinez bizarrely poked wide of an open goal.
Berardi angled just wide of the far post with another exquisite curling drive after Skriniar cleared Raspadori’s chip off the line. Stefan de Vrij felt he had ignited another late comeback when his header went in but it was ruled out by VAR for a handball by Federico Dimarco.
And, after all their efforts to find a goal, there was nothing for the hosts to console themselves with when the final whistle went.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
