Serie A: Champions Head For Friday Fun in Verona

Hellas Verona vs Inter Milan

Round Two of Serie A kicks off on Friday night when Simone Inzaghi takes Inter Milan to Verona to face a lively Hellas team and crowd.

A Friday night in Verona sounds like the beginning of a perfect weekend break, but the reigning champions are there to do some serious business before they put their feet up on Saturday morning.

At odds of 1.56 to win, we expect I Nerazzurri to make it two wins from two after an impressive opening day victory over Genoa.

But it won’t be an easy ride against a team which impressed during the 2020/21 campaign and will be keen to hit back after an opening day disappointment against Sassuolo.

Talking Points

Life after Lukaku might just be okay for Inter

The big Serie A 2021 news to hit the headlines last week was the departure of one of Inter’s biggest stars from their Scudetto winning campaign. Romelu Lukaku’s transfer to Chelsea left a big hole in the Italian league and particularly at the San Siro.

But according to the Serie A 2021 betting odds, I Nerazzurri are second favourites to win the Scudetto again this year at odds of 3.80, with Juventus favourites at 2.00, and Atalanta third at 6.50.

It could be an open race with a resurgent Roma at 13.00 alongside Napoli, and AC Milan just behind at SBOTOP odds of 14.00.

And the news that Manchester City may have turned their attention to Juventus talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has raised a few eyebrows this morning.

So there is plenty to play for as Inzaghi aims to continue his winning start as boss of Inter, who coasted to a 4-0 victory over Genoa last week.

New man Hakan Calhanoglu set up the first with an in-swinging corner which Milan Skriniar headed in, and then he scored the second.

Fellow debutant Edin Dzeko was also on the scoresheet so as Arturo Vidal, as I Nerazzurri strolled home to collect an opening three points.

This was the third successive season in which Inter scored at least four goals on the opening day and now they are on the hunt for more points away from home.

Alongside Calhanoglu, winger Ivan Perisic is a player Verona need to watch if they are to cut of the supply to Dzeko while Lautaro Martinez — who was sidelined for Inter’s opener — could also be pushing for a start.

Verona hoping for a bounce back

The Stadio Marcantnio Bentegodi will be bouncing again on Friday night as fans welcome the return of their heroes who finished in an impressive 10th position last term for the second time.

They have already played a match at home but it didn’t turn out quite as their supporters had hoped as they went down 2-3 at home to Sassuolo.

I Mastini have a new boss too in Eusebio Di Francesco and he was full of support for his new charges, blaming the first half sending off of captain Miguel Veloso for the defeat.

Inter Milan will rely on Milan Skriniar to score another opener in Serie A clash with Hellas Verona — Milan Skriniar celebrates scoring Inter Milan’s first goal during their 4-0 victory over Genoa at San Siro

“I want to congratulate my lads for the spirit,” he said. “We knew Sassuolo have a lot of quality and could hurt us, but we certainly deserved more from this game.”

“I also doubt the decision to send Miguel Veloso off as, before the foul, there was a Filip Djuricic tackle that should have been penalised first. Incidents like this can transform a game,” he added.

Indeed, Djuricic wasn’t punished. But when Veloso appeared to stomp on him, the referee woke up immediately and waved the skipper off to the dressing room.

26-year-old Mattia Zaccagni scored a brace and will continue in midfield. With Veloso suspended, there could be a start for Ivan Ilic while striker Nikola Kalinic is expected to lead the line.

History

Of course Inter won the 2021 Scudetto, but it may be news to some of us that Hellas Verona were Champions of Italy in the 1984/85 season – losing only twice in a remarkable campaign.

But they have never had much luck against I Nerazzurri, losing 16 and drawing four of the last 20 league meetings.

So it is little surprise Inter did the double last season, with a 1-0 win in Milan and a 2-1 victory in Verona as Skriniar scored a late winner.

In terms of recent form, Inter are on a winning streak of six while Verona have won two, drawn two, and lost two over that same period.

Betting Tip

	Hellas Verona vs Inter Milan	Inter Milan Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 2.02
	August 28, 02:24 (GMT + 8)

Verona are at 5.22 to win this game and 3.88 to draw. Or you can get odds of 2.26 for the double chance and, since 2000, I Mastini have never lost their first two games of a Serie A campaign.

But I Nerazzurri, who have dominated Hellas for years, are in good shape already and I expect that run to come to an abrupt end.