Sassuolo vs Inter Milan: Nerazzurri Look to Extend Serie A Lead at MAPEI Stadium
REGGIO EMILIA, 08 February 2026 – League leaders Inter Milan travel to the MAPEI Stadium today to face Sassuolo in a pivotal Matchday 24 fixture. With a five-point cushion over rivals AC Milan, Cristian Chivu’s side aims to solidify their grip on the Scudetto race against a Sassuolo team known for their historical resilience against the Italian giants.
Match Overview
Inter Milan enters this fixture in commanding form, currently occupying first place in the Serie A standings. Despite recent media scrutiny regarding their performances in high-stakes clashes, the Nerazzurri have remained consistent away from home, securing nine victories on the road this season. Manager Cristian Chivu is expected to rotate his squad significantly, potentially making up to nine changes from the side that featured in the midweek Coppa Italia victory over Torino.
Sassuolo, currently positioned 11th in the table, remains one of the most unpredictable opponents for Inter. Historically, the Neroverdi have claimed 11 victories in 25 meetings since 2013, a remarkable record against a club of Inter’s stature. However, the reverse fixture earlier this season at San Siro saw Inter edge out a 2-1 victory, aided by a Federico Dimarco strike and an own goal from Tarik Muharemovic.
Key Statistics and Head-to-Head
The rivalry between these two sides has been historically balanced, with Inter holding a slight edge in total wins. Notably, matches between Sassuolo and Inter average 3.00 goals per game, suggesting a high-scoring affair is likely this evening.
| Stat Category | Data (All-Time H2H) |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 25 |
| Inter Milan Wins | 12 |
| Sassuolo Wins | 11 |
| Draws | 2 |
| Average Goals per Match | 3.00 |
Team News and Lineups
Inter Milan will be without Ange-Yoan Bonny, who sustained an injury during the Coppa Italia win. Marcus Thuram and Petar Sucic are tipped to lead the attack, while Davide Frattesi and Pio Esposito are expected to start on the bench. For Sassuolo, the squad remains largely intact with no new major absentees reported ahead of the 18:00 kick-off.
The tactical battle is expected to focus on Inter’s right flank, which Italian analysts have identified as a potential area of vulnerability that Sassuolo manager may look to exploit. Inter, however, remains the favourite with a predicted scoreline of 2-1 in favour of the visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is kick-off for Sassuolo vs Inter?
The match is scheduled to kick off at 18:00 local time (CET) on Sunday 08 February 2026 at the MAPEI Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
Where do the teams stand in the Serie A table?
Inter Milan currently sits in 1st place, five points clear of AC Milan. Sassuolo occupies 11th place in the league standings.
Who won the last meeting between these two clubs?
Inter Milan won the reverse fixture 2-1 at the San Siro earlier in the 2025/2026 season.
Are there any major injuries for Inter Milan?
Forward Ange-Yoan Bonny is unavailable following an injury picked up in the Coppa Italia. Most other regular starters are expected to return to the lineup after being rested midweek.