Inter have started the season very well, and are now on their way to try and collect another three points against Hellas Verona. Match tomorrow, Friday, at 20:45 CET.

The mantra that Inter are their own biggest enemies is one that all Inter fans will be very familiar with. Antonio Conte’s biggest achievement might have been to ensure that these demons of insecurity had been fully exorcised out of the squad.

Having started the season with a dominant dismantling of Genoa, Inter now travel to Verona in what might have traditionally been a perfect Inter trap game. This match may give a glimpse of Simone Inzaghi’s mental mettle.

Expect Inzaghi to keep the formation largely unchanged from the module and eleven who started against Genoa, with Lautaro Martinez probably starting up front instead of Stefano Sensi and Denzel Dumfries potentially taking Matteo Darmian’s place on the right flank.

Verona are facing a very distinct and real possibility of starting off their season with two straight home defeats. Their much maligned coach Eusebio Di Francesco came in over the summer to replace the much lauded Ivan Juric and the initial signs don’t seem very promising.

EDF is not know for his defensive acumen, and Inter will probably relish playing against a side that keeps themselves open and exposed.

Expect the impressive interplay between the midfield trio of Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella to continue with Edin Dzeko dropping deep to provide the link-up with attack.

There is no reason for Inter not to win this match, save for any self inflicted damage. Here’s to hoping that Inzaghi’s done his homework on Inter and is aware of the mental work that’s constantly required to keep the squad firing on all cylinders.

Team News

It seems like Inzaghi’s Inter is finally taking shape. The arrival of Joaquin Correa from Lazio seems to be the final piece in Inter attacking puzzle this season.

In other attacking news, Alexis Sanchez has finally begun the ultimate steps of his rehabilitation and is training at Appiano with his teammates, expect him to be fit for selection in a couple of weeks.

Probable Line-up (3-5-2): Handanovic (C); Skriniar, De Vrij, Bastoni; Perisic, Calhanoglu, Brozovic, Barella, Dumfries; Lautaro, Dzeko.

Stats

Last Season: Hellas Verona 1 – 2 Inter.

Last 10 Head to Head: Verona have not beaten Inter in the 21 century, as a matter of fact, their poor record goes even further back. Over the past 10 matches, Inter have won seven times.

Keep an Eye on:

Lautaro Martinez: Despite questions remaining over El Toro’s potential involvement in the match, whether from the start or coming off the bench, expect all Interisti’s eyes to be on the Argentinian striker.

The Inter faithful will be trying to assess his condition, attitude and impact in order to make extrapolations on what his potential scoring impact on the remainder of the season will be.

Officials

Referee: Gianluca Manganiello.
Assistant referees: Stefano Alassio and Luca Mondin.
Fourth Official: Antonio Giua.
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati and Antonio Rapuano.

Prediction & Concluding Remarks

Prediction & scorers: Verona 0 – 2 Inter with a Lautaro brace to set his season up on the right note.

Concluding remarks: We might have the chance to learn lots about Inter’s character and identity here. Inzaghi might be faced with a crash course in Inter psychology if his side are unable to take the three points here.

However, if the manager is able to demonstrate that his side can approach this match with the same dominant, no-nonsense attitude displayed against Genoa he will have passed his first mental test.