Sassuolo vs Inter Milan

Stadio Mapei forms the backdrop for Sassuolo’s must-win home clash against newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan.

Sassuolo’s 11-year Serie A tenure is on the line as they commence Gameweek 35 five points adrift of safety following a dismal six-game winless league run (D3, L3), bookended by a 5-1 demolition at Fiorentina last weekend. New manager Davide Ballardini has proved incapable of addressing Sassuolo’s massive defensive woes that have seen them concede a league second-high 70 goals this term. Not only have ‘I Neroverdi’ let in over two goals per game in 2023/24, but they’ve capitulated at least three times in their last three league outings. Hopes of pulling off their first top-flight double over Inter since 2017/18 after a come-from-behind 2-1 win in September’s reverse fixture hinge on building on a decent four-game home form (W1, D2, L1). But it’s easier said than done, considering they’ve conceded precisely three goals in their last two home matches.

In the meantime, Inter will touch down at the Mapei in fine form, having followed a Scudetto-clinching derby win against Milan with a 2-0 triumph against 10-man Torino. Since Sassuolo’s stunning success at Giuseppe Meazza on Matchday 6, Simone Inzaghi’s high-flyers have racked up a superb 28-game unbeaten league run (W23, D5) to maintain their dream of smashing a 100-point barrier. There’s no room for complacency if they’re to achieve that feat, as they need to win all four remaining matches, starting with a game against the only Serie A side to have beaten them this season. Leaving Meazza will only increase the likelihood of Inter’s victory, given they’ve won 14 of their 16 away league games (D2), averaging over two goals per match.