Hellas Verona – Inter: Meticulously Recited Scripts Give Life To Intense Matchup (2-2)

Two teams with clear intentions faced-off in a game that followed the exact plans each manager had for his team. For the most part at least, as Hellas Verona’s relentless press spoiled Conte’s plans, as Inter fell to fourth place after becoming Hellas Verona’s latest victims.
Tactical analysis and match report by Kareem Bianchi.

It has not been the happiest of restarts for Inter, who have already had rumors circulating about a possible Antonio Conte departure after their third slip-up in the space of six matches - quite the contrast with Inter's hot start of the season. Two draws and one loss have set them back from league leaders Juventus, and Atalanta took the chance to overtake them in third place. For the occasion, the manager decided to spare in-form Christian Eriksen, starting Borja Valero instead, while Milan Škriniar and Diego Godín joined Stefan de Vrij in defense, replacing Danilo D’Ambrosio and the suspended Alessandro Bastoni. 

Hellas Verona have been one of Serie A’s most satisfying surprises, capable of giving most top teams a hard time and still on course for a European spot. Although a challenge of significant magnitude, a win could have sent them five points off Milan in seventh place, pressuring and breathing in the neck of the teams currently holding the Europa League qualification spots. 

Thus, Ivan Jurić made five changes to the side that lost to Brescia. Alan Empereur, Emmanuel Badu, Fabio Borini, Mattia Zaccagni, and Samuel Di Carmine were all replaced as Koray Günter, Sofyan Amrabat, Federico Dimarco, Matteo . . .