’History Never Repeats’, a classic song by New Zealand band Split Enz. After last season’s 0-7 white wash of Sassuolo on their own turf only the boldest of Inter supporters would have dared counter this statement. But repeat itself it did as Inter tore the Neroverdi apart from almost the word go in a display that lays down a marker for the rest of the season. Inter needed to come out hard at the San Siro and show that this was a place where opponents should fear to tread. That this is Nerazzurri ground. They made this statement and then some in a performance which will send a few shivers down the spines of those teams currently instilled as title favourites.
No doubt Sassuolo proved a willing accomplice in their own destruction, playing a high backline and a semi aggressive pressing game which left key playmaker Mateo Kovacic plenty of space to operate in and freeing Mateo Icardi from the shackles that held him against a defensive Torino. They cannot be criticized for at least attempting to play an open game but after this result it will be unlikely that too many other lower ranked teams will join them in their frivolous undertaking at the San Siro. The tactics of the opposition however, cannot take away from the display put on by Inter.
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