MY ACCOUNT
Edin Dzeko took his tally of Serie A goals past 100 as Inter edged out Sassuolo 2-1 at the MAPEI Stadium on Saturday.
The 36-year-old became the third-oldest player to reach a century in the Italian top flight when he broke the deadlock in the 44th minute with only his second strike of the season.
Davide Frattesi’s 60th-minute volley brought the hosts level, but Dzeko grabbed the winner and his 101st in the division when he headed home Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s cross 15 minutes from time.
Simone Inzaghi’s side are back to winning ways in Serie A following back-to-back defeats, while also ending a three-game losing streak on the road.
Sassuolo went close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute when Frattesi was denied from tight angle while Armand Lauriente’s follow-up was blocked by face of Nicolo Barella, who was subsequently cleared to continue.
A scorer in two of the last three meetings between the sides, Lautaro Martinez squandered a brilliant opportunity to break the deadlock 10 minutes later. Denzel Dumfries capitalised on sloppy possession by the hosts before crossing for the sliding Argentina international, who somehow steered wide from six yards out.
Inter broke through just before half-time as Dumfries flicked on a corner and Dzeko volleyed home from close range.
The hosts equalised on the hour mark when Rogerio’s deep cross was met on the volley by Frattesi in the six-yard box.
However, the visitors regained the lead with a quarter of an hour remaining. Moments after Andrea Consigli had produced stunning reflexes to deny Martinez, the goalkeeper was powerless as Dzeko headed home Mkhitaryan’s delivery to snatch all three points.
What does it mean? Inter back to winning ways
No team has dropped more points from winning positions than Inter this season (nine – level with Bologna) in Serie A, but they avoided adding to that tally as Dzeko settled a closely fought contest.
Meanwhile, Sassuolo continue their record of having conceded at least 10 goals after the opening nine games in all 10 of their Italian top-flight campaigns.
Ton up for Dzeko
Aged 36 years and 205 days old, Dzeko reached three figures in Serie A with Goran Pandev (37 years and 268 days) and Sergio Pellissier (37 years and 243 days) the only players to achieve the feat at an older age.
Following his double, the striker has also now scored more goals against Sassuolo than any other team in the Italian top flight (eight).
Martinez drought continues
Martinez has now gone eight matches without scoring following that glaring first-half miss.
And despite the Argentina international’s impressive recent record against Sassuolo, he registered just 26 touches and 20 passes – both the lowest tallies recorded by any Inter player that featured for the entire game.
Key Opta Facts
– Edin Dzeko is the third-oldest player to score his 100th goal in the Serie A history (36 years and 205 days), behind only Goran Pandev (37 years and 268 days) and Sergio Pellissier (37 years and 243 days).
– Dzeko is the oldest player to have scored two or more goals for Inter in a single Serie A match.
– Sassuolo have now become Dzeko’s Serie A favourite target, with eight goals scored.
What’s next?
Inter will look to build on their momentum on Wednesday when they face Barcelona in the Champions League at Camp Nou. Meanwhile, Sassuolo will aim to respond against the in-form Atalanta in Serie A next weekend.
