Serpents of Madonnina - Inter Milan vs. Sassuolo, 2:45 p.m. Saturday, May 12, 2018An Inter Milan community.2018-05-12T22:54:17+02:00http://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/rss/stream/171093592018-05-12T22:54:17+02:002018-05-12T22:54:17+02:00Lack of finish: Sassuolo wrench Inter Milan’s Champions League hopes
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<img alt="FC Internazionale v US Sassuolo - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/pj5eGcWIOrYYlkrhrqEaWPjv000=/0x0:4862x3241/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59715441/957761586.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rafinha Alcantar (L) of FC Internazionale in action against Francesco Magnanelli of US Sassuolo during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 12, 2018 in Milan, Italy. | Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Rafinha tries to rally, but <em>Nerazzurri</em> lose 2-1.</p> <p class="p--has-dropcap" id="CFxgDK">Trailing 1-0 in the second half, <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> had to throw everything, including the kitchen sink at <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sassuolo">Sassuolo</a> if the <em>Nerazzurri</em> had any hopes of salvaging a point and keeping up with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a> for the fourth and final <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a> position.</p>
<p id="j9KRKF">Instead, Inter’s offense generated nothing but empty shots and its defense got turned around in the 72<sup>nd</sup> minute to allow <span>Domenico Berardi</span> to drill a right-footed shot into the upper corner past Samir Handanovic which was enough to pace Sassuolo to a 2-1 win over Inter in the final home match of the season for the <em>Nerazzurri</em>.</p>
<p id="faT1i3">However Rafinha put one back in the 80<sup>th</sup> minute after Ivan Perisic found the Brazilian in the area. Rafinha, who had a few attempts at goal earlier in the match, placed a shot off his left foot into the bottom right corner of the net to pull Inter within one, 2-1.</p>
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<p lang="pt" dir="ltr">Inter 1-2 Sassuolo (Rafinha) <a href="https://t.co/mxRfJMfqNg">pic.twitter.com/mxRfJMfqNg</a></p>— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) <a href="https://twitter.com/InterYaSkriniar/status/995400813324525568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a>
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<p id="dyCiQT">Barring Lazio falling apart Sunday at Walter Zenga’s <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/crotone-serie-a">Crotone</a>, Inter Milan are all but out of the Champions League, but have already qualified for Italy’s top Europa League position.</p>
<p id="5qy3s4">That, however, may not be enough for Inter to keep transferred players like Rafinha and Joao Cancelo.</p>
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<img alt="FC Internazionale v US Sassuolo - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gD1DEuKVZKFTij7RbEmtFHE3rl8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10828437/957770926.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>FC Internazionale head coach Luciano Spalletti shouts to his players during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and US Sassuolo at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on May 12, 2018 in Milan, Italy.</figcaption>
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<p id="ncgvqv">Instead, Inter will be left wondering what happened after such a strong start that saw them top of the table 16 matches into the season. But, a mid-season collapse where Inter struggled to gain points in matches found themselves in a position of looking up at its goal of Champions League football.</p>
<p id="wD2vYh">Now, thanks to a season sweep at the hands of Sassuolo, Inter will return to Europe, but not in the competition it had hoped for.</p>
<p id="Julaxo">In the first half, Inter set the tone from the on-set by forcing Sassuolo into more of a defensive stance.</p>
<p id="DVokXU">But, it was Sassuolo who had the better looks at goal in the first 25 minutes. </p>
<p id="tj3Dfw">Domenico Berardi tested Inter keeper Samir Handanovic in the 23<sup>rd</sup> minute with a low shot off his left foot, but the attempt went wide.</p>
<p id="AyKgz4">But, two minutes later, after Brozovic was shown a yellow card after fouling Claud Adjapong, Politano directed the free kick — which was just outside the area — under the defensive wall set up by the <em>Nerazzurri</em> and past Handanovic to put Sassuolo up 1-0 in the 25<sup>th</sup> minute.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Of course, Politano scores against Inter with a great free-kick. <a href="https://t.co/ix5ALzXcnb">pic.twitter.com/ix5ALzXcnb</a></p>— Isak Möller (@Isak_Moller) <a href="https://twitter.com/Isak_Moller/status/995385496611192832?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a>
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<p id="9bH0GW">From that moment through the end of the first half, it was <span>Andrea Consigli</span> who kept Inter off balance.</p>
<p id="byBXJ1">The Sassuolo goalkeeper was tested by Brozovic in the 31<sup>st</sup> minute with a right-footed shot. Rafinha and <span>Antonio Candreva</span> drilled shots in in the 33<sup>rd</sup> and 36<sup>th</sup> minutes, respectively, but Consigli was there.</p>
<p id="cVy76B">Inter had its best chance to score in the 42<sup>nd</sup> minute when Brozovic found <span>Mauro Icardi</span> with a through ball in front of goal, but Icardi was whistled off-sides.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">HT: <a href="https://twitter.com/SassuoloUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SassuoloUS</a> take a one-goal lead into the break! <a href="https://twitter.com/Inter?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Inter</a> applying the pressure but still no breakthrough for the Nerazzurri.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieA</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/InterSassuolo?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#InterSassuolo</a> <a href="https://t.co/gZPG9iS8Mn">pic.twitter.com/gZPG9iS8Mn</a></p>— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) <a href="https://twitter.com/beINSPORTS/status/995387635999887360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 12, 2018</a>
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<p id="hnB3Le">Then, just before half, Icardi took another attempt at the back of the net after Ivan Perisic placed the ball right at Icardi’s feet in front of goal. Icardi maneuvered around for a shot, but his attempted was pushed aside by Consigli.</p>
<p id="cF8Bog">Now, Inter waits for Lazio-Crotone on Sunday. Crotone are playing to avoid relegation while Lazio will try to hang on and distance themselves from Inter to secure the Champions League.</p>
<p class="c-end-para" id="q7AR15">If there is a draw or Lazio loses, the final game of the season could determine which team gets Europa League and which team gets Champions League.</p>
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<p id="ZVnJ4e"><em>What do you think? Post your comments below!</em></p>
https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/2018/5/12/17348362/lack-of-finish-sassuolo-wrench-inter-milans-champions-league-hopes-san-siro-serie-a-lazio-championsM.A. Clark2018-05-11T18:40:00+02:002018-05-11T18:40:00+02:00Inter Milan vs. Sassuolo: Match preview, how to watch and live thread
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/SdRvK3i7EzvURWytcoEcapwAEh0=/0x0:2997x1998/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59705763/955428942.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Antonio Candreva of FC Internazionale in action against Valon Behrami of Udinese Calcio during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on May 6, 2018 in Udine, Italy. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Countdown to Champions League is here.</p> <p id="HknERK">We all know what’s on the line. We all know what’s at stake.</p>
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<p id="AN32Ul">Now, <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Inter Milan</a> has to do its part to get there.</p>
<p id="gchvkG">In a race for a spot in next season’s <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>, the roadmap is pretty-well laid out: win and you are in.</p>
<p id="WBeUPb">That starts with Saturday’s matchup with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sassuolo">Sassuolo</a> at the San Siro.</p>
<p id="AG0K3O">Thanks to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/atalanta">Atalanta</a>’s tie with <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/lazio">Lazio</a>, the <em>Nerazzurri</em> are within striking distance of a spot in Europe. Currently, Inter is in fifth-place in Serie A, two points back of Lazio. </p>
<p id="JvwW7P">A win Saturday at least keeps Inter at pace with the capital side heading into next week’s season finale in Rome for all the marbles.</p>
<blockquote><p id="w7UmYd">”The desire to play in the right way and then to win will be decisive. We lost against them in the reverse fixture, so we’ll need to show maximum respect, however, I’ve seen the lads training in the right way,” said Inter Milan manager Luciano Spalletti, in his pregame news conference Friday. This season has been like a long tournament. Now we have to play in a semifinal to put ourselves in a position to eventually play in the final during the next round of fixtures.</p></blockquote>
<p id="fqnQO3">You can expect a championship setting at the San Siro as Inter cannot sacrifice any points against a Sassuolo side sitting 12<sup>th</sup> in Serie A.</p>
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<img alt="Udinese Calcio v FC Internazionale - Serie A" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LsA8hMwku4Cnf46cI6stJmLVhkI=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10823073/955428992.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</cite>
<figcaption>Joao Cancelo of FC Internazionale in action during the Serie A match between Udinese Calcio and FC Internazionale at Stadio Friuli on May 6, 2018 in Udine, Italy.</figcaption>
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<p id="MfRsBy">Last week’s 1-0 win against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/sampdoria">Sampdoria</a> all but secured Sassuolo’s place in Italy’s top flight next season.</p>
<p id="J1oYkC">“This was a difficult year, in which we have complicated our lives by ourselves,” said Ghanaian midfielder <span>Alfred Duncan</span> <a href="https://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/SportsArchive/Alfred-Duncan-delighted-after-Sassuolo-beat-Sampdoria-to-retain-league-status-649855">to GhanaWeb.com</a>. “Finally, we will try to have fun in the best of ways in these last two, and we will try to give continuity to the results already against Inter.”</p>
<p id="5XqjrX">After a series of four straight draws, Sassuolo has won three of their last four – including a 1-0 against <a href="https://www.violanation.com/">Fiorentina</a> three weeks ago.</p>
<p id="KZIXmQ">Sassuolo can play spoiler against Inter as a loss to the Green and Black would all but eliminate the <em>Nerazzurri</em> from Champions League qualifications if Lazio defeats <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/serie-a/teams/crotone-serie-a">Crotone</a> Sunday. The next week, Sassuolo closes the season against Roma, who are two points up on Lazio in third, but can drop to as low as fourth with a loss coupled with a pair of Inter wins.</p>
<p id="jT57VF">Of course, we all know the scenarios. If Inter wins, they either keep pace with Lazio or leapfrog them into fourth with the final match of the season playing huge implications. If Inter lose, they would have to hope for Crotone to defeat Lazio at home. If Lazio wins and Inter loses, the <em>Nerazzurri</em> will have to settle for the Europa League next season regardless of whether they beat Lazio in the final week of the season, unless goal differential is higher for Inter.</p>
<p id="k6rgn0">I think?</p>
<p id="bdDhpn">For Inter, they will have Matias Vecino and <span>Danilo D’Ambrosio</span> back from suspension while <span>Roberto Gagliardini</span> may be available off a hamstring injury but could be used sparingly. Joao Miranda remains questionable for the match.</p>
<p id="5J5Ewk">“We’ll evaluate Miranda between tonight and tomorrow morning. To not play him was already a precautionary matter,” Spalletti said. “We’ll talk about Gagliardini next week. Vecino still has to be assessed, there’s a lot behind this match but first of all, we have to win. <span>Borja Valero</span> is a maestro in linking up different parts of the team and playing in traffic.”</p>
<p id="9Y6BYi">Inter has won three of their last four and have scored 12 goals in those four matches. Striker Mauro Icardi currently sits on 28 league goals – one back of Lazio’s Ciro Immobile. Khouma Babacar leads Sassuolo in scoring with six on the season.</p>
<p id="qsE8tz">Marcelo Brozovic – who have found top form of late – Ivan Perisic and <span>Antonio Candreva</span> each have eight assists for the <em>Nerazzurri</em>. Offensively, Inter have a strong advantage as Sassuolo have allowed 57 goals in this season and have a minus-30 goal differential – tied for third-worst in Serie A.</p>
<aside id="t14F4V"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Inter Milan’s Champions League hopes still linger","url":"https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/2018/5/7/17328810/inter-milans-champions-league-hopes-still-linger-serie-a-lazio-roma"},{"title":"Faded hopes: Inter Milan lose lead, drop 3-2 decision to Juventus","url":"https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/2018/4/28/17296998/faded-hopes-inter-milan-lose-lead-drop-3-2-decision-to-juventus-derby-d-italia-serie-a"},{"title":"Candreva: ‘We need to give our all …’","url":"https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/2018/4/27/17292100/candreva-we-need-to-give-our-all-internazionale-milano-juventus-derby-d-italia-serie-a"}]}'></div></aside><p id="9zXJvu">There is really no gray area here. Inter has to win to keep its hopes for Champions League play alive. A draw doesn’t eliminate them, unless Lazio wins. </p>
<p class="c-end-para" id="gK0ZCU">But, the bottom line is Inter cannot worry about Roma or Lazio. They only have to take care of themselves if they have any hopes of reaching Europe’s top competition next season.</p>
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<p id="TayFwK"><em>What do you think? Post your comments below!</em></p>
<h2 id="11OTRd">Match Info</h2>
<p id="J44MuC"><strong>Date & Time:</strong> May 12, 2018, 8:45 p.m. CEST (2:45 on the U.S. East Coast)</p>
<p id="GIBzQ0"><strong>Location:</strong> Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, Milan</p>
<p id="QwsY81"><strong>TV/Streaming:</strong> In the United States, the match will be available on beIN SPORTS Connect and on RAI Italia. In the United Kingdom, you can watch the game on BT Sport 2 and BT Sport Live.</p>
<p id="ekY2Ag">Click <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2548805/internazionale-vs-sassuolo/">here</a> to find out where you can watch the match around the world.</p>
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<h2 id="20r3by">Inter’s Matchday Squad</h2>
<p id="o9peVZ"><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> Handanovic, Padelli, Berni</p>
<p id="Svcu71"><strong>Defenders: </strong>Lisandro Lopez, Joao Cancelo, Ranocchia, Santon, Miranda, Dalbert, Skriniar, D’Ambrosio</p>
<p id="khJ9f3"><strong>Midfielders:</strong> Rafinha, Borja Valero, Brozovic, Vecino, Gagliardini</p>
<p id="XkRefg"><strong>Forwards: </strong>Icardi, Karamoh, Eder, Perisic, Candreva, Pinamonti</p>
<p id="BvtKzM"><strong>Unavailable:</strong> <em>none</em></p>
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<h2 id="o3Xx6s">Match Thread Rules</h2>
<p id="5ENwJl">There are only three rules: don’t be hateful, don’t disrespect anyone else’s opinion and enjoy the game!</p>
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https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/2018/5/11/17345292/inter-milan-vs-sassuolo-match-preview-how-to-watch-and-live-thread-champions-league-serie-aM.A. Clark