Inter Milan will be keen to make up for lost ground in the Serie A title race when they welcome Hellas Verona on Saturday night
Inter Milan will be keen to get back to winning ways in Serie A as they get ready to welcome minnows Hellas Verona to the Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday night.
The Nerazzurri appeared to have their title charge back on track following the win over Napoli earlier this month. However, in what has become somewhat of a regular occurrence this season, Simone Inzaghi’s side shot themselves in the foot by dropping two points against Monza in the next game.
Inter are currently 10 points off the top with more than half the season to play. As long as they can get back to winning ways and chip away at Napoli’s lead, there is every chance they could yet land their 20th Scudetto.
Next up is a Verona side that has won just two games in the league this season, and are floundering in the relegation zone. Marco Zaffaroni’s side doesn’t just have the third-worst attack in the league, but also the worst defence. With them struggling at both ends of the pitch, a herculean effort will be needed to upset the applecart in Milan.
Inter go into the game as favourites but struggled to get past second-division side Parma in the Coppa Italia earlier in the week. While Verona will have to be their best, they do have a shot at surprising Inter if the home side turns up tardy.
With the Supercoppa Italiana up next, Inter will be keen to rediscover their touch. The clash in Saudi Arabia and the Coppa Italia represent Inter’s best shots at silverware this season. Simone and co should have one eye on the clash against Milan, and it might impact their selection for the game at the weekend.
Verona are six points off safety and cannot afford to fall any further behind. With nothing to lose, it will be curious to see if the visitors will choose to take the game to their vaunted opponents.
The Hard Tackle looks at how both sides could line up on the night and what tactics they might employ.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Nerazzurri at work 💪⚫🔵#ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/qqo0Pa0DfL
— Inter (@Inter_en) January 12, 2023
Having played 120 minutes midweek against Parma, Inter cannot afford to not make changes against Verona. Star midfielder Marcelo Brozovic continues to be ruled out and will not feature on the night.
Inter are also sweating on the fitness of Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku, with the trio far from certain to make the game. While changes will be made, one thing that will remain constant is Inzaghi’s 3-5-2 system.
Andre Onana should continue in goal behind the back three of Milan Skriniar, Stefan De Vrij and Alessandro Bastoni. Matteo Darmian should replace Denzel Dumfries on the right flank, with Federico Dimarco bringing up the opposite wing.
Kristjan Asllani should keep his spot in midfield alongside Roberto Gagliardini and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Lautaro Martinez played 120 minutes against Parma and should start on the bench on the night.
Joaquin Correa can be a handful on his day and is likely to partner with Edin Dzeko upfront. Coming soon after the World Cup, Inter will do well to keep Martinez fit ahead of more pressing games in the future.
Verona have the worst defensive record in the second half of any side in Serie A this season. Bringing on a rested Martinez after the break could prove to be a smart approach.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Onana; Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Gagliardini, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Dzeko, Correa
Hellas Verona
The minnows have won just two of their opening 17 games in Serie A and unsurprisingly find themselves in real danger of getting relegated. Recent form and their history against Inter suggest little is likely to change on the night.
Their defence continues to struggle to keep clean sheets, while the attack is far from inspiring. With them currently six points adrift of safety, there is no better time than now for the minnows to rediscover their form.
Verona actually started their season off decently, picking up five points from their first five games. They then went on a 10-game winless streak that only ended in January 2023. During that time, manager Gabriele Ciofi was sacked, giving way for Salvatore Bochetti with little improvement.
The arrival of Zaffaroni proved to be a shot in the arm, with I Gialloblu picking up two four points from their next two games. They are unbeaten under the 53-year-old’s tutelage, something that will seriously be put to the test in Milan.
#Zaffaroni: "A Milano con umiltà e determinazione" / VIDEO#HVFChttps://t.co/eF3NzVLy4t
— Hellas Verona FC (@HellasVeronaFC) January 13, 2023
Verona’s record away to Inter has been abject, with their last win at the venue coming three decades ago. To call the tie akin to David vs Goliath would not be an understatement. They are further handicapped by the unavailability of Marco Faraoni, Kevin Lasagna, Simone Verdi and Jayden Braaf.
Zaffaroni has stuck to a 3-4-2-1 formation over the last two games and has little reason to change it. Lorenzo Montipo should start in goal behind the back three of Pawel Dawidowicz, Isak Hien and Federico Ceccherini. Fabio Depaoli and Josh Doig will provide width out wide, also dropping back to make it a flat back five when needed.
The trio of Ivan Ilic and Adrien Tameze will be handed the responsibility of holding the fort and midfield and make the most of Inter’s potential absentees in the midfield. Should the duo win the battle in the middle of the park, it could throw the home side’s game plan out of the window.
It will also allow Yayah Kallon and Darko Lazovic the freedom to get forward and support Milan Djuric upfront. Lazovic scored twice in the win over Cremonese and in particular, should be a player for Inter to tie down.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Montipo; Dawidowicz, Hien, Ceccherini; Depaoli, Ilic, Tameze, Doig; Kallon, Lazovic; Djuric
Key Stats
- Inter Milan are currently on a 220-game unbeaten run against Hellas Verona in Serie A. The Nerazzurri have won 17 games, while four have ended in a draw.
- Inter Milan have never lost a Serie A home game to Hellas Verona.
- Hellas Verona’s last win against Inter Milan in Serie A was in 1992.
- A win on the night will see Hellas Verona win two league games in a row for the first time since January 2022.
- Should Hellas Verona keep a clean sheet on the night, it will be the first time they have done so in consecutive Serie A games since September 2020.
- Inter Milan has scored 19 times in the first half of Serie A this season, the most of any side in the Italian top flight. At the same time, Hellas Verona have conceded more goals in the second half in Serie A this season.
Player to Watch
Edin Dzeko
The Bosnian has four goals against Verona in his career and should be a shoo-in to start on the night. With Lukaku struggling with his fitness and Martinez tired, it makes sense for Dzeko to be brought back into the starting XI. An able finisher, he can make a difference for the home side in the penalty area.
The 36-year-old has four goals in his last four Serie A games and is in good form at the moment. Playing against the weakest defence in the league should see him add to his goal tally on the night. As long as Inter take their chances, there is every chance they can make mincemeat of the visitors.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-0 Hellas Verona
Verona appear to have bought into Zafforini’s methods and have looked far more formidable since the turn of the year. However, they still lack the quality to get the better of a side such as Inter, and it should show on the night. The Nerazzurri have largely lost steam in the second half of the matches, and as long as Verona keep the scores level in the first half, they might have a glimmer of hope.
