Inter squeeze past Sassuolo

Federico Dimarco and Carlos Augusto scored Inter's goals in a largely humdrum encounter at the San Siro which ended with Cristian Chivu's team creeping into the top half of the table with six points from four matches.

Inter played brilliantly in beating Ajax on Wednesday in the Champions League but losing to a last-gasp goal against fierce rivals Juventus last weekend had left the 20-time Italian champions way off the pace in domestic competition.

"It was important to win because we came into the match from two defeats (in Serie A)," said Dimarco. "We had to take the points home with us because we're Inter, and we did."

Italy international Dimarco, who loves to attack from full-back, coolly slotted home his first goal of the season from Petar Sucic's neat layoff in the 14th minute after a sweeping Inter move.

Inter pushed for more but goalkeeper Arijanet Muric kept the hosts at bay, with two second-half saves from a Pio Esposito overhead kick and Carlos Augusto keeping Sassuolo in the game.

Brazilian Carlos Augusto's deflected strike, scored with nine minutes remaining, proved the matchwinner as Walid Cheddira pulled a goal back for Sassuolo seconds later.

Inter's Davide Frattesi then had a goal ruled out for a tight offside call after the substitute prodded home on the rebound, and Sassuolo could not find a leveller in the six minutes of added time.

Sunday's success was a far cry from Inter's performance in midweek in Amsterdam, but was enough for Chivu to claim just the fifth win of his short Serie A coaching career.