Inter Milan produced a scintillating display of attacking football to dismantle Sassuolo 5-0 on Sunday evening, sending a clear message to their Serie A rivals and further extending their lead at the top of the table. The Nerazzurri, led by coach Cristian Chivu, bounced back from a midweek Coppa Italia rotation by restoring their first-choice lineup—and the results were nothing short of spectacular.
Heading into the match, Inter Milan were riding high on an 11-game unbeaten streak in Serie A and had just secured a place in the Coppa Italia semi-finals with a 2-1 win over Torino. Chivu, determined to keep momentum on their side, made as many as nine changes from the cup fixture, bringing back regular starters like Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, and Yann Sommer in goal. The back three of Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji, and Alessandro Bastoni returned to provide defensive solidity, while Luis Henrique and Federico Dimarco—Serie A’s Player of the Month for January—were set on the flanks.
Inter’s midfield featured Piotr Zielinski dictating play, with Petar Sucic alongside him and Henrikh Mkhitaryan favored to complete the trio after being substituted early against Torino. Sassuolo, meanwhile, hoped to build on their recent 3-1 win over Pisa, which had offered a glimmer of hope after a difficult run. Domenico Berardi, Andrea Pinamonti, and Armand Lauriente spearheaded their attack, but the hosts faced injury woes with Edoardo Pieragnolo and Fali Cande unavailable and Daniel Boloca’s status uncertain.
From the opening whistle, Inter Milan imposed themselves on the match. The early stages saw both sides probing, but it was Inter who struck first. In the 17th minute, Yann Bisseck rose highest to meet a Federico Dimarco corner and powered a header from close range past Sassuolo goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, giving the visitors a deserved 1-0 lead. Dimarco, whose influence has grown steadily this season, provided the perfect delivery to unlock the Sassuolo defense.
Inter continued to press, and their relentless pressure paid off before halftime. In the 34th minute, Dimarco again turned provider, whipping in a cross that found Marcus Thuram. The French striker calmly finished with his right foot from the center of the box, doubling Inter’s advantage. Sassuolo thought they had pulled one back just before the break, but a goal from Kristian Thorstvedt was ruled out by VAR for offside. The hosts went into halftime trailing 2-0, and the writing was already on the wall.
After the restart, Inter showed no signs of letting up. Lautaro Martinez, Serie A’s top scorer with 13 goals coming into the match, ended his brief drought with a clinical left-footed strike from the center of the box in the 55th minute, making it 3-0. The Argentine’s goal, assisted by Mkhitaryan, was a testament to his predatory instincts and underlined why he accounts for a quarter of Inter’s league goals this season.
Sassuolo’s resistance crumbled further as Manuel Akanji got on the scoresheet in the 70th minute, heading home from close range after another well-worked corner by Dimarco. The Swiss defender’s goal made it 4-0 and capped a dominant performance from Inter’s backline, who not only kept a clean sheet but contributed in attack as well.
The final blow came late in the game when Luis Henrique, who had been a threat all evening, unleashed a powerful right-footed shot from the right side of the box, sending the ball into the top left corner. With that, Inter completed the 5-0 rout, a result that not only showcased their attacking depth but also their defensive discipline.
Chivu’s tactical decisions paid dividends throughout the match. The return to a familiar lineup restored stability and allowed Inter to control proceedings from start to finish. Substitutions in the second half saw Francesco Pio Esposito replace Lautaro Martinez, Ange-Yoan Bonny come on for Marcus Thuram, and Andy Diouf take over from Mkhitaryan, ensuring that key players were rested ahead of a busy schedule that includes a Champions League playoff against Bodo/Glimt and a Coppa Italia semi-final clash with either Napoli or Como.
Sassuolo, for their part, struggled to find any rhythm. Despite their positive result against Pisa and a history of troubling Inter in previous encounters—including two wins in their last three meetings—the hosts were outclassed in every department. Their attacking trio of Berardi, Pinamonti, and Lauriente found little joy against Inter’s resolute defense, and their midfield was overrun by the energy and precision of Zielinski, Sucic, and Mkhitaryan. Defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly, and the sending off of Nemanja Matic after a second yellow card only compounded their woes.
Federico Dimarco, despite picking up a yellow card for a bad foul, was instrumental in both attack and defense. His two assists from corners were pivotal, and his work rate on the left flank set the tone for Inter’s dominance. According to Corriere dello Sport, "Dimarco was always certain to start, and his performance justified the faith shown in him by Chivu."
Inter’s away form continues to impress, with this victory marking their eighth consecutive league win on the road—one of the best streaks in the club’s storied history. Their tally of 52 goals is the highest in Serie A, and they have now scored in 12 straight matches. The Nerazzurri’s ability to maintain such high standards despite injuries to key players like Denzel Dumfries, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Nicolò Barella speaks volumes about the depth and resilience of Chivu’s squad.
For Sassuolo, the defeat is a sobering reminder of the gulf in class between mid-table teams and the league’s elite. Coach Fabio Grosso will need to regroup quickly, as the team’s European ambitions have faded and defensive issues persist. Sassuolo’s record of conceding 14 goals in 12 home games this season underscores the urgent need for improvement.
As the final whistle blew on a comprehensive 5-0 victory, Inter Milan fans could be forgiven for dreaming of another Scudetto. With an eight-point cushion over AC Milan and momentum firmly on their side, Chivu’s men are in pole position as the season enters its decisive phase. The Nerazzurri’s blend of experience, tactical acumen, and attacking flair makes them a formidable force—one that will take some stopping in Italy and beyond.