Inter Extend Serie A Lead With 5-0 Win Over Sassuolo, Martinez And Thuram Star

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Inter extended the lead at the top of Serie A to eight points with a 5-0 win at Sassuolo. The visitors dominated at MAPEI Stadium, punishing 10-man opposition. Lautaro Martinez, Marcus Thuram, Yann Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Luis Henrique all scored. Federico Dimarco supplied three assists as Inter maintained strong away form in the title race.

The scoreline also carried historic weight for Martinez and Dimarco. Martinez moved level with Roberto Boninsegna in Inter’s all-time scoring list on 171 goals. Dimarco reached 11 Serie A assists this season, a record for a defender after 24 matchdays since 2004-05. Inter also recorded an eighth straight away league victory.

Martinez’s goal meant the captain is now joint-third in Inter’s scoring history across all competitions. Only Giuseppe Meazza, on 284 goals, and Alessandro Altobelli, with 209, sit above Martinez and Boninsegna. The milestone underlined Martinez’s influence in this campaign and across several seasons for the Nerazzurri.

Dimarco delivered one of the standout full-back displays of the Serie A season. The wing-back became only the second player in that role since 2004-05 to record three assists in a single Serie A away match. The first was Lazio’s Massimo Oddo against Ascoli in May 2006, showing how rare Dimarco’s feat is.

This victory was Inter’s eighth consecutive Serie A away win, matching last season’s run. They have now managed such a streak only three times. The other sequence came in the 2006-07 campaign, when the club put together 11 straight away wins. The current form underlines Inter’s strong control in difficult stadiums.

Sassuolo had an early chance that almost altered the tone of the contest. Ismael Kone’s effort beat the goalkeeper, but Dimarco cleared off the line. Inter then struck first in the 11th minute. Dimarco’s corner found Bisseck, who headed in at close range to give the visitors a settled platform.

Inter built on that start with sustained pressure and set-piece strength. Bisseck saw another effort blocked on the line, while Dimarco hit the crossbar from range. The second goal arrived on 28 minutes. Dimarco crossed from the left and Thuram reacted well in the box, turning the delivery into the net.

Sassuolo briefly believed the match had shifted before half-time. Kristian Thorstvedt finished from close range, and home players celebrated a response. VAR then intervened and the goal was disallowed for offside. That setback left Inter still two goals clear at the break, with Sassuolo needing a major second-half recovery.

The Nerazzurri closed the contest soon after the restart with two quick strikes. Martinez drilled home after sharp build-up play, stretching the lead to three. Akanji then headed in another Dimarco corner just three minutes later. Tempers rose after the fourth goal and Nemanja Matic was sent off for violent conduct.

With Sassuolo reduced to 10 players, Inter managed the closing stages with control. Henrique added a fifth goal two minutes from time, meeting a loose ball with a fierce half-volley. The finish capped a complete display, strengthened Inter’s lead in Serie A and highlighted decisive contributions from Dimarco and Martinez.

Inter Serie A data debrief and key statistics

Several statistics highlighted Inter’s dominance and individual landmarks in this Serie A clash. The figures below summarise the main data points from the match and the wider season context for Inter, Dimarco and Martinez, with focus on records and historic comparisons among defenders and forwards.