One of six teams within two points of the Serie A top, reigning champions Inter Milan continue their title defense on Saturday when they visit Hellas Verona.

While Inter were just a penalty away from topping the table Before the international break, Verona lost four of their last five games and were leaking goals at an alarming rate.

Match example

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Leaving them one point behind the visitors in the standings made it an evening of mixed fortunes for the set-piece specialist Hakan Calhanoglu saw Inter settle for a draw at home against leaders Napoli last time.

Although the Nerazzurri Turkish star rifled in a brilliant equalizer just before half-time, his inability to extend an excellent record from the penalty spot later cost them two points.

Calhanoglu’s miss stunned San Siro and ended a run of 19 successful attempts from 2016, ultimately ending his team’s three-match winning streak.

Inter had previously beaten Empoli, Venezia and Arsenal without conceding a single goal, and the win over the latter left them just two points off top spot in the league. the Champions Leaguehalfway through the competition phase.

Although the Scudetto holders have taken 25 points in Serie A this season, that is six fewer than last season at this stage, according to head coach Simone Inzaghi will be happy to start a new series of successes, which starts on Saturday.

Ahead of their trip to Verona, Inzaghi’s side have completed two away wins to equal the club’s top record of 13 in a calendar year. Inter have scored at least once in their last thirteen visits to Stadio Bentegodi.

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All told, Verona has lost forty league matches against Inter, winning only four; indeed, the Gialloblu have played 26 games since they last recorded a Serie A victory over the Milan giants.

Victims of a great one Moses Kean With a hat-trick just before half-time, Hellas have lost to Fiorentina, Lecce, Atalanta BC and Monza in their last five games, with a 3-2 defeat to crisis club Roma bringing their only reprieve.

Like the sharp end of Italy’s top flight, the bottom half of Serie A is quite busy after twelve rounds and Verona are only three points above the relegation places.

Owners of the league’s worst defensive record, Paolo Zanetti‘s men are sending goals at a rate of 2.25 per match, which does not bode well given Inter’s abundant attacking potential.

But despite a league or cup draw this season, the Scaligeri have secured three of their four wins so far at the Bentegodi, and that could boost confidence ahead of the champion’s arrival.

Hellas Verona Serie A form:

Inter Milan Serie A form:

Inter Milan form (all competitions):

Team news

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Because Hakan Calhanoglu suffered a muscle injury during his international break, the Inter playmaker cannot make up for his penalty miss this weekend – also the Italian midfielder Davide Frattesi or Albania Kristjan Asllani will replace him.

With wing back Carlos Augusto Simone Inzaghi is available again after a spell on the sidelines and should have an otherwise full squad to choose from.

Captain Lautaro Martinez has scored six goals in eight games against Verona so far, but has also returned late from Argentina’s last World Cup qualifying camp Mehdi Taremi – who scored for Iran on Tuesday – Joaquin Correa or Marko Arnautovic could replace him alongside Marcus Thuram in front.

Meanwhile, Verona will have to make do without a mainstay in midfield Ondrej Duda until December, after returning from Slovakia with an injury.

Juan Cruz And Martin Frese are still sidelined and Diego Coppola has sprained an ankle, but Pawel Dawidowicz is back in action and Dailon Livramento is available after serving a suspension against Fiorentina.

Benfica loanee leads the hosts’ attack Casper Tengstedt has scored four goals since moving to Serie A this summer, despite producing just five shots on target.

Hellas Verona possible starting line-up:
Montipo; Tchatchoua, Dawidowicz, Magnani, Bradaric; Belahyane, Serdar; Suslov, Kastanos, Lazovic; Tengstedt

Possible starting line-up of Inter Milan:
Summer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Asllani, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Correa, Thuram

We say: Hellas Verona 0-2 Inter Milan

Given their poor record against Inter and a distinct lack of form before international football intervened, Verona will approach this match with some trepidation.

The Nerazzurri are keen to keep up the pressure on Napoli and their fellow title contenders and will certainly not make a mistake in one of their happiest hunting grounds.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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