Nerazzurri annihilated in the first half and unlucky in the second. The two gems of Dionisi, Raspadori and Scamacca decide
Other than against overtaking at Milan, an Inter heavy in the legs and especially in the head crashes against the lightness of Sassuolo and remains at -2 from the cousins stopped yesterday in Salerno. Raspadori and Scamacca open the first mini crisis of the Italian champions, who could also end up behind Napoli tomorrow, although they always have to recover the match in Bologna. Of course, Brozovic’s absence weighed heavily (Marotta has the Croatian renewed immediately and then put him in a display case) but Inzaghi’s team confirmed that they are experiencing a moment of involution. Perfectly highlighted by Dionisi’s team, deadly on the counterattack, good (and also lucky) to withstand the impact in the second half, when Inter really tried them all.
The choices
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Five new faces for Inzaghi compared to the challenge against Liverpool. The two forced choices are Dimarco and Gagliardini for the suspended Bastoni and Brozovic, the technical ones concern Dumfries and Dzeko, replaced by Darmian and Sanchez. In the direction there is Barella, absent in the Champions League for the two rounds remedied after the red in Madrid. On the other hand, Dionisi finds after the stop session both Raspadori and Scamacca, who complete the offensive trident with Berardi, but loses Ferrari, leader of the defense replaced by Ayhan. With Lopez and Frattesi (another Italian who Inter really like), confirms for Traore.
First half
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And the former Empoli player kicks badly from a good position after Sanchez had trivially lost a ball. That for the Nerazzurri it will be a complicated evening in the 4th minute is confirmed by another Emilian counterattack, with Scamacca calling out De Vrij and Frattesi to insert himself to open to the limit in Traore, blocked by Skriniar. The third clue makes a test, with Calhanoglu losing the ball in the 8th minute and Berardi rewarding the inclusion of Raspadori, who from the limit cold Handanovic. Inter took 12 minutes to spread their wings (low cross by Darmian for Lautaro, anticipated by Consiglio) but struggled damnably in the middle of the field. Barella does not have Brozovic’s geometry and cold blood and also in front of the defense he cannot tear as he knows. Calha tries to help him in the direction but the third wrong ball starts some grumbling as well. Finally, Gagliardini dances between Lopez and Traore, with Inzaghi who at 15 ‘orders the reversal of the mezzali. Two shots from the outside by the Turkish and Sanchez announce at least a surge of pride and also bring the fans into the game. Inter now increase the pressure, even if Sassuolo are humble in defending themselves with two low lines and then throwing themselves forward as soon as they can. As in the 26th minute, when Traore has plenty of time to raise his head and draw the header of the very solitary Scamacca who scores 2-0. Skriniar could reopen it immediately on Dimarco’s corner, but Consigli is overtaken and then he is also careful on Gagliardini. Inter tries with shoulders or with some game changes, but the action without Brozovic almost always starts with a delayed playing time, with Sassuolo who manages to take sides and restart ball and chain and with synchronous movements that are a marvel. (see Berardi’s crossbar at 38 ‘), with Traore where no one in the restart even takes the plate.
Second half
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Inzaghi plays all out at the beginning of the second half, with Dumfries for Darmian and especially Dzeko for Gagliardini, asking Sanchez to move between the lines. The reaction at the beginning of the second half is impressive, with Sassuolo (inside Tressoldi for Ayhan) crushed in the last 30 meters. The first 20 ‘of pure fury, however, did not produce the spark of the goal, also because Consiglio is twice super on Dzeko and it cannot always be Perisic – tonight less lucid than usual – to open the box. As soon as the Nerazzurri catch their breath, Traore returns to make the tomb of the good old days among the Nerazzurri stakes. With Lautaro damaging his soul but continuing to argue with the goal and Dzeko eating two goals scored, the evening just seems cursed. Dionisi at 25 ‘looks for fresh forces with Defrel and Henrique for Scamacca and Frattesi. When at 27 ‘Lautaro does not find the mirror on a two-meter tap-in, disbelief reigns supreme because at this point technique and tactics have nothing to do with it. Inzaghi at 33 ‘tries with Vidal and D’Ambrosio for Calha and an exhausted Perisic, Dionisi responds with Harroui for Traore. It takes a miracle from Handanovic on Raspadori to keep the flame alive. But clarity remains an optional, the fatigue of the Cup also takes over and the omelette is served: the goal canceled at the last minute in De Vrij (hand ball by Dimarco reported by the Var) is just one more detail.
February 20, 2022 (change February 20, 2022 | 20:16)
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