Inter Primavera top Sassuolo 2-1

Stefano Vecchi’s Primavera squad picked up two goals in the first half and held off a late challenge to knock off Sassuolo, 2-1 Saturday.

It is the ninth win of the season for Inter Milan and moved them even with league leader Atalanta — although Atalanta has a game in hand.

It was Nicolo Zaniolo that delivered first, in the 31^st minute. The goal came after a free kick from Xian Emmers was feinted by Mohammed Belkheir.

Belkheir would get his chance seven minutes later — again started by an Emmer’s set piece.

The Nerazzurri came out with a chance early in the second half, but a delivery from Jens Odgaard went wide in the early stages of the half.

In the 54^th minute, attacking midfielder Aristidi Kolaj put Sassuolo back in the game.

But, the Inter defense held firm for the remainder of the game to give the Nerazzurri the win.

The Primavera will not be back in action until Jan. 7 when they will take on AS Roma at the Guiseppe Meazza in the Supercoppa Primavera TIM.

SASSUOLO 1-2 INTER

Scorers: 31' Zaniolo, 38' Belkheir, 54’ Kolaj

SASSUOLO: 1 Marson; 2 Piacentini, 5 Pilati, 6 Ferrini, 3 Celia; 8 Ahmetaj (82’ Aurelio 14), 4 Amadio, 10 Viero; 7 Kolaj, 9 Rizzi (68’ Piscicelli 17), 11 Raspadori (87’ Palma 18).

Bench: 12 Vlas, 13 Denti, 15 Cipolla, 16 Diaw, 19 Maffezzoli, 20 Marchetti.

Coach: Felice Tufano

INTER: 1 Pissardo; 2 Valietti, 4 Bettella, 6 Lombardoni, 3 Sala; 7 Danso, 5 Rada (43' st Schirò 16), 8 Emmers; 10 Zaniolo; 9 Odgaard (90’ Rover 18), 11 Belkheir (66’ Colidio 22).

Bench: 12 Tintori, 13 Zappa, 14 Van den Eynden, 15 Corrado, 17 Pompetti, 19 Merola, 20 Adorante, 21 Gnoukouri, 23 Mutton.

Coach: Stefano Vecchi

Bookings: Pilati (45'), Colidio (70’), Zaniolo (78’)

Stoppage Time: 0' - 4'

Referee: Giacomo Camplone (Pescara)

Assistants: Carpi and Trasciatti