Match Report: Sassuolo 3 - 1 Inter; The Crisis Continues

Inter have fallen to 12th in the Serie A standings after Sunday's loss to Sassuolo - the side's second straight Serie A defeat.

Things went along quite smoothly for Sassuolo, as both Simeone Zaza and Nicola Sansone scored in a first half which was completely dominated by the Neroverdi.

Inter's performance increased the slightest bit in the second half, especially after Icardi came onto the pitch and Inter began to get more service into the final third. Icardi's eventual goal, however, was not a result of Inter's offensive creativity, but instead came off a defensive miscue by the hosts. But a goal is a goal, and this pulled Inter back within one.

But Sassuolo's Domenico Berardi drilled home a bullet from the spot late in the match after Isaac Donkor fouled Zaza in the box (and picked up his second yellow). Berardi's goal sealed all three points for the host.

Both teams ended the match with only 10 men on the pitch, as Sansone and Inter's Isaac Donkor were sent off in the second half.

The turmoil was not over when the match ended, however. After the players shook hands, Icardi and Guarin made their way to the Inter supporters' section of the stands and threw their shirts to some Nerazzurri fans. Those fans responded by throwing the jerseys back to the players, which ignited a heated argument between the two players and the fans.

Post-match, Inter manager Roberto Mancini defended his side's play, saying that although mistakes were made, Inter were just unlucky to lose the match.

Inter travel to the San Paolo later this week for a Coppa Italia quarter final showdown with Napoli. Hopefully, Inter will at least continue their recent trend of playing well in tournaments, even if finishing third in Serie A is just a dream at this point.

MATCH FACTS:

SASSUOLO 3-1 INTER

Scorers: Zaza (17'), Sansone (30'), Icardi (83'), Berardi (90+3')

SASSUOLO: Consigli; Vrsaljko, Cannavaro, Terranova (Brighi 81'), Longhi (Gazzola 61'); Biondini, Magnanelli, Missiroli (Antei 75'); Berardi, Zaza, Sansone

Unused Subs: Pomini, Polito, Chibsah, Bianco, Lodesani, Sereni, Floccari

Coach: Eusebio Di Francesco

INTER: Handanovic; Donkor, Vidic (Brozovic 69'), Ranocchia, Dodo; Guarin, Medel; Shaqiri, Kovacic, Palacio (Puscas 78'); Podolski (Icardi 56')

Unused Subs: Carrizo, Berni, Kuzmanovic, Obi, Sciacca, Hernanes, Dimarco, Bonazzoli

Coach: Roberto Mancini