With six wins in six matches, Inter are on a bit of a hot streak, they will look to keep the streak going as they visit the impressive Hellas Verona. Match tomorrow Wednesday at 18:30CET.
Inter have at times ridden their luck during this winning streak, but in the end, it’s results that matter and Inter now find themselves just one point behind league leaders AC Milan going into the final match of the year.
Antonio Conte seems to have found the right formula to manage the final few matches of the year as his squad hobbles to the winter break.
The manager has his team playing a combination of pragmatic defensive football coupled with an increased tempo in the second half with more expansive football on show.
It seems that Inter will approach this match in much the same manner, with the decisive inclusion in the second half potntially being Stefano Sensi. Sensi has come onto the pitch off the bench in the previous two matches and been a match winning contributor, whether as a ball holder and result guarantor or as an offensive threat that helps win matches.
Ivan Juric’s Verona have been very impressive this season. The hosts have managed to beat Lazio and Atalanta and take points off Milan and Juventus; an ominous sign for the visitors.
That said, Verona are without a trio of starting strikers in Nicola Kalinic, Andrea Favilli and Samuel Di Carmine and might thus present a less than adventurous gameplan to face their guests with.
Inter will be very familiar with ex-player and tormentor Federico Dimarco, the Italian full-back has been the source of a few Nerazzurri nightmares over the years, and will want to keep his strong record against his parent club going.
Inter’s midfield trio will need to ensure that they lock up the center of the pitch, while providing their full-backs the required support when attacked.
Inter have a difficult match before them, but it is well within their ability to go home winners. As always, balance and concentration for the Nerazzurri might prove the determining factors.
Team News
Inter go into yet another match without any strikers available on the bench. Interisti worldwide will be praying the Santo Danilo, their patron saint that Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku get to the end of the year fully fit. Matias Vecino is still unavailable for selection.
Probable Line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Hakimi, Gagliardini, Brozovic, Barella, Young; Lautaro, Lukaku
Stats
Last Season: Verona 2 – 2 Inter.
Last 10 Head to Head: Inter hold a commanding lead in the head to head encounters with their hosts with seven wins to not a single victory for Verona.
Keep an Eye on:
Stefano Sensi: Despite his inability to play a full match, Sensi has become the man of the hour over the past couple of weeks.
When fit, the Italian midfielder’s impact on the team’s performance is clear; he is transformative. This match is exactly the type of fixture that might need Sensi’s deft touch to unlock.
Officials
Referee: Piero Giacomelli.
Assistants: Liberti and Geletto.
Fourth Official: Di Martino.
VAR: Calvarese and Mondin.
Prediction & Concluding Remarks
Prediction & scorers: Verona 1 – 2 Inter Sensi and Hakimi to win it for the guests.
Concluding remarks: With three starting attackers out injured for the hosts, expect Verona to approach the match with the traditional “sit back and break” gameplan pursued by weaker oppostion against Inter.