Inter Milan travel to Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi on Sunday, looking to maintain their pursuit of the Serie A front-runners and close the gap at the top. While Cristian Chivu’s Inter are enjoying a strong run of form following their midweek win over Fiorentina, Hellas Verona find themselves struggling near the foot of the table and still searching for their first league victory of the campaign.
The Nerazzurri’s response to adversity has been immediate and emphatic. After a 2-1 defeat to Napoli last weekend ended their seven-match winning streak, Inter bounced back with a professional 3-0 win against Fiorentina. Hakan Calhanoglu was once again the standout performer, netting twice, while Petar Sucic scored his first Serie A goal to seal the points. That victory lifted Inter to third place with 18 points from nine matches, just behind AS Roma and Napoli, keeping them well within reach of the title race.
Inter’s strength under Chivu has been their consistency and balance. Even with some rotation, their pressing structure and midfield cohesion have made them one of Serie A’s most complete sides. They will now look to build further momentum in Verona, a fixture that has historically favoured them.
Inter Milan have beaten Hellas Verona more times than any other opponent in Serie A history, amassing 42 victories in total, and they did not concede in either of last season’s meetings, including a 5-0 win at the Bentegodi.
For Hellas Verona, it has been a difficult start to the season under Paolo Zanetti. Winless after nine league fixtures, the Gialloblu are languishing in the relegation zone with just five points and five goals to their name. Their midweek 3-1 loss to Como extended their poor run, coming just days after squandering a 2-0 lead to draw with Cagliari, a result emblematic of their fragility and lack of composure in closing out matches.
The hosts’ struggles stem largely from their lack of attacking potency and defensive lapses. While they have shown resilience at home, losing only once in four matches, Verona’s inability to turn draws into wins has left them in a precarious position. To end their ten-match winless streak at the Bentegodi, they will need a near-perfect performance against one of the league’s most clinical sides.
Given Inter’s recent form and Verona’s ongoing instability, this matchup presents a daunting challenge for the hosts. The visitors, buoyed by the creativity of Calhanoglu and the cutting edge of Lautaro Martinez, will be favourites to take all three points and continue their upward trajectory in the Serie A title race. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Hellas Verona head into this contest with mounting fitness concerns that threaten to derail their preparations. Captain Suat Serdar, who has been one of the side’s few bright sparks this season with two goals, is facing a late fitness test due to a muscular issue. His absence would be a significant blow to Paolo Zanetti’s midfield, given his energy and ability to drive the team forward from deep.
Adding to Verona’s woes, a number of key players remain sidelined. Grigoris Kastanos and Unai Nunez are unavailable through injury, with both still recovering from respective thigh and knee problems. Daniel Oyegoke and Moatasem Al-Musrati are also ruled out, depriving Zanetti of defensive depth and midfield control. Meanwhile, creative midfielder Tomas Suslov continues his rehabilitation and is not expected to feature.
These absences limit Hellas Verona’s options considerably against Inter Milan, particularly in central areas where they have struggled to maintain cohesion and tempo. In attack, Gift Orban and Giovane are expected to continue their partnership up front, though the pairing has yet to find real chemistry this season.
Orban remains the side’s primary threat, having scored twice in Serie A, but support from the wings and midfield has been inconsistent, forcing him to operate in isolation for long spells. Tactically, Verona are likely to deploy their familiar 3-5-2 formation, designed to add defensive solidity while allowing flexibility in wide areas.
Lorenzo Montipo will start in goal, protected by a back three of Armel Bella-Kotchap, Victor Nelsson, and Nicolas Valentini, who will be tasked with containing Inter’s mobile forwards. The midfield should consist of Rafik Belghali and Martin Frese operating as wing-backs, providing width and tracking back to support the defence.
In the central trio, Suat Serdar (if fit) will look to link play alongside Roberto Gagliardini and Antoine Bernede, forming a unit responsible for pressing and closing down Inter’s playmakers. Up front, Giovane will partner Gift Orban, hoping to exploit counter-attacking opportunities with their pace and movement.
Given the quality of their opponents, Zanetti’s tactical focus will likely be on maintaining compactness, breaking quickly through wide areas, and capitalising on set pieces, their most reliable attacking outlet so far this season. However, with their key players missing and confidence low, Hellas Verona will face an uphill battle to contain an Inter Milan side brimming with confidence and attacking firepower.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Montipo; Bella-Kotchap, Nelsson, Valentini; Belghali, Serdar, Gagliardini, Bernede, Frese; Giovane, Orban
Inter Milan manager Cristian Chivu will once again be tasked with managing his squad carefully against Hellas Verona as the club navigate a congested fixture schedule. Following their midweek win over Fiorentina, and with crucial home fixtures against Kairat in Europe and Lazio in Serie A on the horizon, squad rotation is expected at the Stadio Bentegodi.
The visitors have no new injury suspensions to report, though Marcus Thuram has only just returned to full training after recovering from a minor muscular issue. Chivu is unlikely to risk the French forward from the get-go, meaning he will probably feature on the bench.
Francesco Acerbi, who was rested in the midweek tie, is set to reclaim his place in central defence, bringing both composure and leadership to the back line. Meanwhile, young striker Ange-Yoan Bonny is expected to be recalled to the starting eleven after his energetic cameo against Fiorentina, while Francesco Pio Esposito offers an alternative option up front should Chivu opt for greater movement in attack.
Captain Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan’s talismanic forward, will lead the line once again against Hellas Verona. The Argentine internatioanl has a strong scoring record against Verona, having netted six goals in previous meetings, and remains crucial to Inter’s attacking dynamics. Behind him, Hakan Calhanoglu continues to be one of Serie A’s standout performers this season, contributing five goals from midfield through a combination of set-piece mastery and long-range precision.
Tactically, Inter are expected to maintain their trusted 3-5-2 formation, which has been the foundation of their recent success. Yann Sommer will start in goal, protected by a defensive trio comprising Manuel Akanji on the right, Francesco Acerbi in the centre, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. This back line provides a blend of physical presence, passing range, and positional discipline, allowing the wing-backs to push forward aggressively.
On the flanks, Denzel Dumfries and Carlos Augusto will operate as wing-backs, stretching the pitch and providing width in transition. In midfield, Nicolo Barella and Petar Sucic will flank Hakan Calhanoglu, forming a balanced unit that can press high and retain possession under pressure. Barella’s dynamism and box-to-box energy complement Calhanoglu’s creativity, while Sucic’s ability to drift between lines adds a vertical dimension to their play.
Up front, Ange-Yoan Bonny is likely to partner Lautaro Martinez, giving Inter Milan a mix of physicality and tactical flexibility against Hellas Verona. Bonny’s pressing intensity and aerial threat should help stretch Verona’s back three, freeing space for Martínez to exploit in central areas.
Chivu’s side will look to impose themselves early, using quick ball circulation and overlapping wing play to pull Verona out of shape. With their recent form and depth, Inter will aim to dominate possession, control the tempo, and continue their chase of Serie A’s front-runners.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Sucic, Augusto; Bonny, Martinez
Inter Milan have beaten Hellas Verona 42 times in Serie A, more than any other opponent in their history. Verona, meanwhile, have not defeated Inter since February 1992, marking over three decades without a league victory against the Nerazzurri.
Inter have won each of the last five Serie A meetings with Verona, keeping four clean sheets during that run. This includes a 5-0 victory at the Bentegodi last season, underlining their attacking superiority in this fixture.
Hellas Verona have scored just five goals in nine league matches this season, the joint-lowest tally in Serie A. They have also failed to score in four of their last six league fixtures, highlighting their bluntness in the final third.
Inter Milan have kept five clean sheets in their last eight Serie A matches, conceding only seven goals all season. Their well-structured back three continues to be one of the league’s most reliable defensive units.
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has an impressive record against Verona, scoring six goals in seven appearances against them in Serie A. He will be looking to add to that tally as Inter chase another crucial away victory.
Few players in Serie A are as central to their team’s success as Lautaro Martinez is to Inter Milan. The Argentine striker has evolved into a complete forward under Cristian Chivu, one capable of leading the line, creating chances, and finishing with ruthless precision. His leadership and consistency have made him the heartbeat of this Inter side, both tactically and emotionally.
Martinez’s movement between the lines and his intelligent positioning make him a constant threat to opposing defences. He thrives on quick exchanges and combinations with midfielders like Hakan Calhanoglu and Nicolo Barella, often dropping deep to link play before bursting into the box at the perfect moment. Against Verona’s back three, his ability to exploit tight spaces and anticipate loose balls could prove decisive.
Historically, Verona have been one of his favourite opponents, Martinez has scored six goals in seven Serie A appearances against them, including several crucial strikes that underline his poacher’s instinct. With Marcus Thuram still regaining fitness and rotation expected, the Argentine will once again shoulder the attacking responsibility.
Expect Lautaro Martinez to play a leading role in setting the tone for Inter’s attack, pressing high, dictating tempo, and, most importantly, finishing the chances that fall his way. If he finds his rhythm early, Verona’s hopes of a clean sheet will likely be short-lived.
Everything points toward a one-sided encounter at the Stadio Bentegodi, where Inter Milan will look to capitalise on their excellent recent form and Verona’s continued struggles. Cristian Chivu’s side have been clinical in front of goal, tactically disciplined, and defensively compact, a combination that few Serie A sides have managed to cope with this season.
Hellas Verona, on the other hand, are still searching for rhythm and confidence. With several key players sidelined and limited firepower up front, Paolo Zanetti’s men will likely rely on defensive organisation and counter-attacks. However, facing an Inter side boasting the creativity of Hakan Calhanoglu, the dynamism of Nicolò Barella, and the finishing prowess of Lautaro Martinez, their chances of holding out look slim.
Given Inter Milan’s historical dominance in this fixture and their clear edge in both form and quality, the visitors are strong favourites to collect all three points and keep pressure on the league leaders. The Hard Tackle predicts a 3-0 win for Chivu and his charges.
