Lukaku Scores Twice as Inter Milan Defeat Sassuolo 4-3

Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez scored two goals each as Inter Milan achieved a hard fought victory against Sassuolo 4-3 at the Mapei Stadium on Sunday.

Martinez scored within two minutes before Domenico Berardi equalized, but Lukaku gave Inter breathing space with a powerful strike and a penalty before half time.

Martinez improved his side’s lead to 4-1 from the penalty spot after the break, but Sassuolo hit back through Filip Djuricic and Jeremie Boga strikes.

Antonio Conte's side held on in a nervy finish to the game as the home side pressed for an upsetting equalizer.

“We did everything right in the first half and should have scored more in the second," Lukaku told sports streaming service DAZN.

"Once it goes to 3-1 and 4-1, it ought to be over. The positive we take is that we got the three points, but we need to defend better than that."

"For more than an hour we played very well, then there was a blackout that we will analyse in detail," said Inter assistant coach Cristian Stellini speaking as Conte missed the post-match conference because of illness.

"We did well, but we still have a lot of work to do."

Inter now hold second place with 21 points, one behind champions Juventus and four clear of Atalanta in third.

The Milan Giants had a perfect winning record in Serie A until a 2-1 home defeat to Juventus before the international break saw them lose top spot. They will now hope to regain it within the next couple of matches.