Crackling first half, entertaining second half but without the fireworks of the first 45 minutes. Verona and Inter greeted their triumphant season with heads held high with a draw which, rightly, rewarded both. Inter who escapes with Arnautovic, then Verona who first takes it back with Noslin and then overtakes with Suslov with the Italian champions hitting them right at the end. There were also many opportunities in the second half but the goals did not arrive. Verona started strong, pressing high and winning a couple of corners in a quick series but in the first half ball it was Inter who found the advantage. The ball filters through due to Cabal’s failure to close, Arnautovic is quicker to put himself between the ball and Coppola and pass Perilli from the outside. But the reaction of the hosts was immediate. Verona recover the ball centrally, Suslov rewards Noslin’s cut behind the Nerazzurri centre-backs and passes Audero with a left-footed touch. Verona is definitely on the ball and turns it around. Serdar snatches the ball from Barella, Noslin has the coolness to see Suslov in tow and the Slovakian’s diagonal left-footed shot is surgical and beats Audero again. At the end of the half, Inter’s quality leads to parity. Stretcher for the insertion of Frattesi who from the chest fans a great assist to Arnautovic who scores the personal encore.
An entertaining first half, played at an intense pace and which could have rewarded Verona more, capable of really interpreting the match at its best with an intensity which undoubtedly put a more staid Inter into crisis but which had class shots to keep afloat. The tactical plan did not change at the start of the second half. Verona continues to keep the pace high, to press high, to give little space to the sources of the Italian champions’ play. Inter try to lower the pace, managing ball possession as best as possible. Simone Inzaghi wants a team that is more involved in the match and opts for a triple change to give more strength to the Nerazzurri team, inserting Cuadrado, Buchanan and Sanchez in one fell swoop. The match faded due to the numerous substitutions of the coaches. Perilli is decisive on Calhanoglu, then the newcomer and debutant in the top flight Di Gennaro is careful on Serdar’s close shot. Vinagre saves on the line and with the help of the crossbar from a cunning touch from Frattesi. Perilli still good on Frattesi and right at the end Sanchez’s winning goal was cancelled.
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