MILAN, (Reuters) – Inter Milan’s perfect start to the Serie A season ended as Sassuolo mounted a fine comeback to secure a shock 2-1 victory on Wednesday.
Inter led through a first-half goal by Denzel Dumfries but Sassuolo, coming off Saturday’s 4-2 home victory over Juventus, secured all three points with goals from Nedim Bajrami and Domenico Berardi.
Inter still top the standings on 15 points but are level with AC Milan after six matches after Stefano Pioli’s side won 3-1 at Cagliari. Sassuolo are eight with nine points.
“We had a good first half against a quality team in good shape. For what we created, we should’ve scored more than one goal,” Inter manager Simone Inzaghi told DAZN.
“Games that are in the balance can always turn, so we should’ve been sharper and more focused. If you lose your shape against a team like Sassuolo, it becomes very difficult.”
Dumfries broke the deadlock for Inter one minute into first-half stoppage time when he cut into the box and unleashed a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.
Sassuolo equalised in the 54th minute when Bajrami delivered an angled shot from 12 yards that Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer allowed to trickle over the line.
Berardi sealed victory for the visitors nine minutes later with a powerful strike from distance into the bottom corner.
“After the break, we started well, then there was the error for the 1-1 and from there we were no longer able to be sharp, to keep our shape, Berardi scored a magical goal and we lost our way,” Inzaghi added.
The Inter manager received a yellow card for dissent late in the match.
Inter visit Salernitana on Saturday in Serie A before hosting Benfica on Oct. 3 in the Champions League group stage.
Napoli displayed glimpses of last season’s golden form as they comfortably defeated Udinese 4-1 at home, with Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia among the scorers.
Napoli are fifth in the standings with 11 points.
Lazio earned breathing space as Matias Vecino and Mattia Zaccagni secured a 2-0 home win over Torino. They are 11th in the standings with seven points.
