Inter Milan manager Walter Mazzarri has praised his players after their 1-0 win over Sassuolo on Sunday evening.

The Nerazzurri had gone six league games without a win, before Walter Samuel's header earned them their first three points of 2014.

"I'd keep almost everything from tonight's performance. We played well and it was tough tonight," he told the club's official website. "Opponents in Italy prepare for matches very well and Sassuolo are an excellent side.

"We managed to win and break this hoodoo. Hernanes and [Fredy] Guarin played well. Hernanes performed well, he's an important player, you could see he was up for the game."

Inter are currently fifth in the Serie A table.