Inter boss Spalletti refusing to play blame game in damaging loss

Luciano Spalletti refused to apportion blame onto any specific player after Inter's 2-1 loss to Sassuolo wounded their top-four ambitions.

Inter coach Luciano Spalletti declined to put the blame on any individual player after his side saw their Champions League hopes left hanging in the balance following a 2-1 home defeat to Sassuolo.

Goals for Matteo Politano and Domenico Berardi were enough to ensure the visitors completed a domestic double over the Nerazzurri at San Siro, despite a late strike from Rafinha ensuring a frantic finish.

Their top-four aspirations now rest on Lazio failing to beat already-relegated Crotone on Sunday, before the two sides meet on the final weekend of the Serie A season.

Speaking to Premium Sport after the game, Spalletti said: "It is never the fault of a single player. We went behind but there was plenty of time to do things calmly and take the game in hand.

"We were not able to make fast recoveries. From a physical point of view, we were not in difficulty. There were times when we were a bit confused; we also missed a lot of chances.

"This defeat definitely hurts, but we played a good game. I greeted all my boys because they gave everything; they were destroyed at the end of the game."