Inter welcome Hellas Verona to the San Siro in the midweek round of Serie A fixtures on Wednesday 23 September (kick off 20:45 CET).
Inter come into this game in great form with four hard fought victories in a row against Atalanta (1-0), Carpi (2-1), Milan (1-0) and Chievo (1-0) at the weekend.
Inter’s start to the season is made more impressive given the amount of changes to the playing squad and instead of the new signings taking time to settle in they have flourished and this sees Inter sit on top of the Serie A table, two points clear of second placed Torino.
Hellas Verona have had a hard start to this Serie A season with three draws against Roma (1-1), Torino (2-2) and against Atalanta (1-1) at the weekend when a 97th minute equaliser from Pisano saved a point. In their other fixture they were defeated by Genoa (2-0).
Andrea Mandorlini’s team sit in 15th place in the Serie A table and their cause for a first win of the season won’t be helped by injuries to last season’s top scorer Luca Toni, who has been sidelined for two months with a knee injury and defender Raphael Marquez.
Here is the Inter team news and probable line up as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport:
With three matches in the space of a week Roberto Mancini could rotate the squad to keep players fit ahead of a crucial encounter against Fiorentina at the weekend.
Samir Handanovic starts in goal with Davide Santon at right back. In central defence Joao Miranda is back after injury and is expected to replace the injured Jeison Murillo, to be partnered with the deputising Gary Medel.
At left back Juan Jesus is expected to be on the bench as an ankle gash suffered in the Milan Derby has still not healed so Alex Telles will make his second start of the season.
In midfield Felipe Melo and Fredy Guarin are expected to start along with Marcelo Brozovic who could replace Geoffrey Kondogbia as Mancini seeks to keep the squad fresh.
In the attacking positions Adem Ljajic could finally make his Inter debut in place of the in-form Stevan Jovetic alongside Ivan Perisic and captain Mauro Icardi.
Probable Inter line up (subject to change): (4-3-2-1) Handanovic, Santon, Miranda, Medel, Telles, Melo, Guarin, Brozovic, Ljajic, Perisic, Icardi(C).
Bench: Carrizo, Radu, Juan Jesus, Montoya, Ranocchia, D’Ambrosio, Nagatomo, Di Marco, Kondogbia, Gnoukouri, Palacio, Jovetic, Biabiany, Manaj.
Some Stats:
In the Serie A records Inter have bossed the meetings between the sides with 39 wins to Hellas Verona’s 6 wins with 21 drawn in the 66 matches played.
In the overall records Inter continue to lead the way with 43 wins compared to Hellas Verona’s 8 wins and 21 out of the 72 matches drawn.
Inter have never lost at the San Siro against Hellas Verona.
In the corresponding fixture between the sides last season on 9 November 2014, Hellas Verona secured a point with a 2-2 result with goals from Toni and Lopez cancelling out an Icardi double.
In the fixture at the Bentigodi last season on 11 April 2015, Inter were comfortable victors 3-0 with goals from Icardi, Palacio and a Moras own goal.
Only four Inter coaches have won their first four games in Serie A: Helenio Herrera, Luigi Simoni, Hector Cuper and now Roberto Mancini.
Player to Watch: Mauro Icardi – Now that last season’s top scorer has got off the mark I expect his confidence to be high and there will be no better opponent for the Argentine to add to his goal tally.
My Prediction: Inter 2-0 Hellas Verona
Scorers: Icardi, Ljajic
Officials: Referee: Carmine Russo Assistants: Dobosz, Paganessi
Fourth Official: Crispo Additional Assistants: Guida, Pezzuto
Author’s Note: Inter have started the week well with a hard fought win away at in-form Chievo and with the loss of Luca Toni and Raphael Marquez for the visitors I think we will win this game without too much trouble. A win here would set Inter up perfectly for this weekend’s match against a tough Fiorentina side.
Forza Inter!
