Unlike the prior four seasons, which saw Juventus enjoy a seemingly untouchable status as the top team in Italy, this season has seen a much closer Scudetto race with at least three other sides - Napoli, Inter Milan, and Fiorentina - all mounting serious challenges to la Vecchia Signora's dominance. So far, Inter have managed to stay ahead of the pack, but given that only a few points divide the Nerazzurri from the Bianconeri, the second half of the 2015/2016 season looks set to be as exciting as the first part.
Meanwhile, among the sides directly below the top four, things are also quite interesting and Inter's next opponents, Sassuolo, have been enjoying a very successful campaign of their own so far. For a team that was playing in the third division not too long ago, the Neroverdi are definitely in the running to finish in the top ten - and possibly even sneak into a Europa League spot if things go their way.
Inter Milan
Inter have been criticized this season for playing "ugly football" as most of their wins, including their most recent victory over Empoli, was yet another 1-0 result. However, three points are three points, and Mancini's men, through their hard work, are deservedly at the top of the Serie A table. With Juventus having dominated the Scudetto landscape over the past four seasons, hope is high among Nerazzurri fans that their team just might change all that this upcoming May.
However, things are very congested at the top of the table, with Fiorentina and Napoli breathing down their necks at just one point behind. More important, the Bianconeri have closed the gap to just three points after racking up eight straight wins, indicating that anyone who wrote Juve off earlier this season will certainly be eating some bitter crow at this point in time. Despite not boasting the most prolific attacks in Serie A this season, with 24 goals, a key part of Inter has been that rock-solid defense that has kept a whopping 12 clean sheets and conceded just 11 goals so far.
They have been as solid on the road as they have been at home, but will be keen on making amends after losing their last game of 2015 2-1 to Lazio in front of their home crowd. Given that Sassuolo could face a tricky customer, Mancini fortunately only will be missing the services of the suspended Felipe Melo, meaning that he can call on most of his first-choice starting XI as they chase their 13th win of the season.
Sassuolo
Inter's next opponents, Sassuolo currently sit in sixth place. The Neroverdi, who only arrived on the Serie A scene during the 2013/2014 season have improved vastly since their debut campaign and unlike last term, which saw them barely escape the drop, they look certain to remain in the top flight for yet another campaign.
Eusebio Di Francesco's side have a frustrating tendency to nip points off the bigger sides and despite the fact that they were humiliated twice, by an aggregate score of 14-0 by the Nerazzurri, they did manage to win the most recent fixture between these two sides by a score-line of 3-1, their first and only win so far in their past four meetings.
Of course, the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza does not hold fond memories for this plucky side, and they have only won three times on the raod this season. Still, they may be feeling a bit more confident given that this is the fifth time they will face the Milan giants. And fortunately for the visitors, who will be coming into this match having drawn versus another Serie A new face - Frosinone - Di Francesco will only be missing a couple of players, with Emanuele Terranova and Lorenzo Pellegrini not making the trip to Italy's fashion capital due to injury and suspension respectively.
Twice, Inter have faced Sassuolo and twice, they utterly humiliated them 7-0, including once at the Giuseppe Meazza during the 2014/2015 season. Will the Nerazzurri stay ahead of the chasing pack with a goal-fest, or will it be yet another gritty 1-0 win? Or will the Neroverdi get revenge from their past meeting at this same ground last season?
Which channel is broadcasting Inter Milan vs Sassuolo on TV or Online?
This will be the fifth meeting between Inter Milan and Sassuolo. Not only have the Nerazzurri outscored the Neroverdi by an aggregate total of 16 to 1, but Sassuolo's 3-1 win was the first time in their four match-ups that they managed to finally score against the Milan giants. A win, of course, will keep Inter firmly on top of the Serie A table, albeit by a small margin, whilst victory for the visitors could move them closer to a European football spot.
If you're in Milan, you may be heading to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to catch Roberto Mancini's side in action live, but if not, no worries. LiveSoccerTV has you covered with viewing options to stay on top of all the action from your TV, computer, phone, or tablet. Here are some selections for calcio fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 6.30 EST on: fuboTV, RAI International, beIN SPORTS CONNECT U.S.A., beIN Sports USA
- In Italy at 12.30 CET on: Sky Calcio 1, Sky Supercalcio HD, SKY Go Italia
- In the UK at 11.30 GMT on: BT Sport 2, BT Sport Live Streaming
- In Canada at 6.30 ET on: RAI International, beIN SPORTS CONNECT Canada, beIN Sports Canada
Live elsewhere? Feel free to check out our special Inter Milan vs. Sassuolo broadcast page for viewing times and options for wherever you are currently based.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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