Inter Milan vs. Sassuolo: How Inter will line up in Serie A game

After a promising pre-season, Inter Milan disappointed in their opening Serie A fixture of 2014-15, drawing, 0-0, away to Torino and will be chasing all three points against Sassuolo in Week 2.

Playing at the San Siro against a side that only just managed to avoid relegation last season, Walter Mazzarri's men should be sent out with the intent to attack.

Against Torino, the side were perhaps overly cautious, so this time around, they will surely looking to put their opponents under a great deal of pressure from the outset.

In a major blow for the Nerazzurri, new signing Nemanja Vidic was shown a red card for dissent in the closing stages of the Torino game and will therefore miss this encounter. Though the former Manchester United captain is a recent addition to the team, he has already become an integral part of Mazzarri's plans.

The hole at the centre of defence will likely be filled by ex-Chievo Verona man Marco Andreolli, who is a capable centre-back in his own right but lacks the presence of Vidic.

The good news for Inter, however, is that Rodrigo Palacio is ready to take the field again for the first time this season after recovering from injury. 

The Argentine hit man should slot straight into the starting XI alongside his countryman, Mauro Icardi. The 21-year-old has been doing a decent job of leading the line in Palacio's absence, but he will surely benefit from having some of the goalscoring pressure taken off his shoulders.

That reinforcement up front means Mazzarri will probably drop one player out of midfield, with the most likely candidate being defensive midfielder Gary Medel.

Inter should be sent out in a 3-5-2 formation, then with a strong-looking midfield supporting the two South Americans up top.

Juan Jesus and Andrea Ranocchio will complete the back three with Andreolli, while Brazilian wing-backs Dodo and Jonathan will patrol the flanks.

In the middle, Yann M'Vila, Hernanes and Mateo Kovacic offer a fair amount of creativity.

If that starting XI does not offer enough of an offensive threat to Sassuolo's defence, Mazzarri may have to go back to the drawing board and shuffle things around for next week.

Likely starting XI for Inter: Samir Handanovic, Ranocchia, Andreolli, Jesus, Jonathan, Dodo, Kovacic, M'Vila, Hernanes, Palacio, Icardi.