The Nerazzurri head to the architectural masterpiece that is the Stadio Bentogodi to face-off against season stragglers Hellas Verona. Kick-off on Monday at 20:45 CET.

Not only must Inter play on a Monday night, the match will be played at the shockingly bleak Bentogodi stadium against relegation contenders Hellas Verona. Hellas have won just once against bottom-of-the-league Benevento and scored a measly six goals so far. Despite having seasoned Serie A scorers such as ex-Interista Giampaolo Pazzini and Alessio Cerci in their squad it will be no surprise when Hellas step onto the pitch with an ultra-defensive setup.

Inter will have to be at their attacking best, as they were in the first 60 minutes of the match against Sampdoria, in order to have a chance of scoring the early goal. Otherwise, the match will be expected to get scrappier and uglier as time wears on and Hellas Verona see the finish line come closer. In which case, Inter will probably have to wait until  the end of the match when Hellas lose fitness and potentially their shape to score.

Luciano Spaletti seems to be intent on sticking with his winning formation and tactics. He has full faith in the current starting eleven and it appears he will continue to do so. If Inter enter the final 20 minutes still needing a win, expect Joao Mario, Joao Cancelo and Eder to make their super-sub appearances from the bench.

Team News

With Marcelo Brozovic’s return from injury Spaletti will have a full squad to pick from once again,  but all reports from Appiano seem to suggest that the Inter tactician will start with the same formation for the fourth consecutive match.

Probable Inter line-up (subject to change): (4-2-3-1) Handanovic; Nagatomo, Miranda, Skriniar, D’Ambrosio; Gagliardini, Vecino; Perisic, Valero, Candreva; Icardi  (C)

Stats

Last Season: Hellas 3 – 3 Inter

Last 10 Head to Head: Inter have dominated Hellas Verona in their previous then encounters, winning seven matches and drawing three with no single win for the Veronese.

Keep an Eye on

Mauro Icardi: After Maurito’s brace against Samp midweek, the Inter faithful will be expecting even more from him. It is in these matches against weaker opposition who will line up defensively that Icardi really earns his wages, as he will not be expected to be presented with many chances to get on the socre-sheet.

Officials

Refereree: Claudio Gavillucci

Assistants: Crispo, Di Vuolo

 Fourth Official: Baroni

Additional Assistants: Irrati, Preti

Prediction & Authors Note

Prediction & scorers: Hellas 0 – 2 Inter with an Icardi-Perisic one-two.

Author’s Note: No trip away from home in the Serie A is an affair to be taken lightly, as we have seen from the matches against Benevento and Crotone. What we now know about this Inter is that when their heads are in the game and their attitude is straight, they can put on some of the best footballing displays in the league. We also know that the same team can be prone to the most epic mental lapses and throw away the most commanding leads. This match is purely in Inter’s hands, focus for the full 90 minutes and the three points will be ours.