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For the first time in recent memory, Inter Milan has compiled 29 points in its first 11 matches of the season following a 2-1 road win at the Stadio Bentegodi Monday night.
The win moved Internazionale back into second in the league table, one point clear of Juventus and Lazio and only two points back of Napoli.
Ivan Perisic ended his scoring drought of six matches to give the Nerazzurri a winner in the 67th minute to offset a penalty given up by Samir Handanovic in the 59th that allowed Verona to edge back into the game.
It was Borja Valero who tallied his first goal as a Nerazzuri to put Inter up 1-0 in the 36th minute as Inter’s defense stole the show in the first half.
GOOOOAAAAALLL!! Borja #Valero opens the account for a 1-0 #Inter lead. #VeronaInterpic.twitter.com/gtmbHwuh3O
— Lega Serie A (@SerieAchannel) October 30, 2017
“Every game is difficult, but tonight, we showed again that we’re a solid team,” Valero said to the team’s website. “We train a lot on possession, we’re continuing to improve game after game.”
| @bvalero20's speciality: Goals Verona. His first Inter strike makes it 4️⃣ from 6️⃣ for him against the Gialloblu. #VeronaInter pic.twitter.com/nGUW6qUVr5
— Inter (@Inter_en) October 30, 2017
Verona showed no signs of being intimidated by Inter’s pressing attack as offensively, they pressed the issue in the midfield.
Although Handanovic was hardly contested in the first half, Verona could fend off Inter’s press and even mount some counter-attack.
In the latter stages of the half, Antonio Candreva steered a cross right into Valero’s path and the former Fiorentina midfielder put the ball away past Nicolas Andrade.
HT: Borja Valero puts @Inter_en a nose in front of @SerieA_TIM strugglers @HellasVeronaFC. Second half to come, LIVE on beIN SPORTS ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/iWog0CzNkX
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) October 30, 2017
Just 14 minutes into the second half, Handanovic came out of the box to challenge Alessi Cerci. After a VAR review, Verona was given a penalty which was successfully taken by substitute Giampaolo Pazzini in the 59th minute.
In the 67th minute, it was Candreva again who mounted an attack and found Perisic streaking with a cross the Croatian put in the back of the net with his right foot.
Ivan Perisic smashes in the half volley Verona 1-2 Inter #Inter #FCIM #Perisic #VeronaInter pic.twitter.com/BinMCALTNj
— InterYaSkriniar (@InterYaSkriniar) October 30, 2017
“My teammates and the coach have asked me to also shoot with my right foot. It was a good shot and a great goal,” Perisic told Inter TV. “I enjoyed a joke with the backroom staff afterwards.”
Coming up for Inter Milan is a matchup with Torino at 6:30 a.m. (ET), Nov. 5 at the San Siro.
Highlights
Gallery
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Ivan Perisic of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Thomas Heeurtaux (L) of Hellas Verona FC competes with Mauro Icardi of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Alessio Cerci (R) of Hellas Verona FC competes with Yuto Nagatomo of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Gianpaolo Pazzini (L) of Hellas Verona FC scores his team's first goal from the penalty spot during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Internazionale players celebrate victory after the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Internazionale fans shows their support during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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Verona fans shows their support during the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
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FC Internazionale players pose before the Serie A match between Hellas Verona FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on October 30, 2017 in Verona, Italy.
Photo by Dino Panato/Getty Images
Statistics
Serie A
Monday, Oct. 30, 2017
Inter Milan 2, Hellas Verona 1
Inter Milan 1 1 — 2
Hellas Verona 0 1 — 1
First half: Borja Valero (36’) INT; Second half: Giampaolo Pazzini (59’ Pen.) HELLAS, Ivan Perisic (67’) INT.
Cautions: Fares (HELLAS), Gagliardini (INT), Pazzini (HELLAS), Brozovic (INT), Heurtaux (HELLAS), Lee (HELLAS)
HELLAS VERONA: 1 Nicolas; 2 Romulo, 75 Heurtaux, 12 Caracciolo, 69 Souprayen; 7 Verde, 8 Fossati, 24 Bessa (64' 5 Zuculini), 93 Fares; 10 Cerci (79' 21 Lee), 9 Kean (58' 11 Pazzini)
Substitutes: 17 Silvestri, 40 Coppola, 4 Laner, 20 Zaccagni, 27 Valotti, 37 Bearzotti, 77 Buchel, 97 Felicioli
Coach: Fabio Pecchia
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 37 Skriniar, 25 Miranda, 55 Nagatomo; 11 Vecino, 5 Gagliardini; 87 Candreva (73' 77 Brozovic), 20 B. Valero (78' 7 Cancelo), 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi (86' 23 Eder)
Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 10 Joao Mario, 13 Ranocchia, 17 Karamoh, 21 Santon, 29 Dalbert, 99 Pinamonti
Coach: Luciano Spalletti
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