Inter end the first half of the season with a hard-fought victory and are crown winter champions, cruising to 48 points after 19 matches. The Nerazzurri only need a win against Hellas Verona, which came in decidedly chaotic fashion. Lautaro Martinez open the dances in his return to the pitch, then Inzaghi tremble: Henry equalise and make Hellas dream, but Frattesi silence them with 2-1 in the 93rd minute. It wasn’t over yet, as Verona missed the 2-2 penalty in the 100th minute.
Inter is crown winter champions in the most sensational and sensational way, after a crazy match against Hellas Verona: it was 2-1 at the San Siro, with Frattesi’s winning goal in the 93rd minute and Henry’s missed penalty in the last minute.
The start is immediately aggressive for the guests, who try not to let the leaders breathe and built their first chance: Ngonge served Suslov, who committed Sommer. The Swiss reacted with his feet and Inter, having let Hellas off the hook, hit back with a quick manoeuvre.
Again Lautaro’s goal for Inter
Barella starts it all by serving Mkhitaryan, with the latter seeing Lautaro’s insertion out of the corner of his eye and serving him promptly: the Toro control in a flash and struck Montipò with a low, outside-foot strike that is worth his 16th Serie A goal.
Inter took the lead in the 12th minute and opted for a different game plan to the usual one: the Nerazzurri let Hellas, who only made themselves dangerous through Djuric, loose and then attacked effectively.
The understanding between Thuram and the returning Lautaro was extraordinary, Mkhitaryan and Barella were excellent, as was Calhanoglu, who came on in attack and acted as an added defender. But it was only 1-0 at rest, a result that kept Verona in the game.
Second half Inter try to control the match
In the second half, the Nerazzurri are in control and twice come close to doubling their lead: but the referee cancels the Lautaro’s goal for offside in the 49th minute, while ten minutes later Calhanoglu’s shoot is wide.
Hellas stays in the game, Henry is brought on, and it is Henry who equalise on the first ball he touches: on Duda’s assist, the Frenchman touch in with his thigh and put Sommer clear.
It was 1-1 in the 75th minute and Inter, who lose the ball badly to Arnautovic in the goal, frantically threw themselves into attack. Arna himself thwarted a promising move, then Inzaghi dared: off came Pavard and Mkhitaryan, in came Sanchez and Frattesi, switching to 4-3-1-2.
Arnautovic wasted again, then everything happened in the second half. In the 93rd minute Bastoni hit the crossbar, the action continue and Barella committee Montipò from distance: the goalkeeper deflect poorly and Frattesi is able to tap in the rebound.
The 2-1 goal is good after a brief check for a foul on Duda, not whistle by Fabbri, then Inter gobble up the safety goal: Barella is generous and serve Sanchez, who wrap up an empty goal after Montipò head in the corner.
The last minutes of Pazza Inter
The game is immediately broke up by a Var check, which rule a penalty: Darmian fouls Magnani, Henry went to the penalty spot and kicked at the post in the 99th minute. Inter won 2-1, and are now at the halfway point of the championship with 48 points and are winter champions: Inzaghi momentarily flies +5 on Juve. Hellas, despite a good part of the squad being on the market, lose undeservedly and remain third-last with 14 points.
Our comment
The match between Inter and Verona was one of the most exciting and unpredictable of this season, with a heart-stopping finale that gave joy to the Nerazzurri and bitterness to the Gialloblù. Inter showed that they have character and grit, but also that they suffer against teams that press and challenge them. Hellas played a great game, playing openly and coming close to achieving a feat.
Henry’s equaliser reopened the game, but Verona paid dearly for their mistakes in front of goal and the penalty missed by Henry himself. Frattesi, who come on in the middle of the game, prove to be Inzaghi’s winning joker, scoring the decisive goal that give to Inter the title of winter champions.
An important, but not decisive, goal for Inzaghi’s team, who will have to confirm themselves in the second half of the season and defend their lead over Juve and the other pursuers. Verona, on the other hand, will have to raise their heads and get out of the relegation zone, exploiting the quality shown at the San Siro and reinforcing the squad in January.
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