Serie A roundup – Inter hit 4 past Hellas Verona, Roma continue to dominate

A brace from Rodrigo Palacio helped Inter secure an easy victory over Cluj

Inter and Hellas Verona entered their match on Saturday at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in two different situations. The hosts tried to bounce back from a three match win less streak, while the visitors had won three in a row.

Everything was going according to plan for Verona. Fans were in a confident mood on the weekend, with thousands of traveling supporters attending the game, and rightfully so. The Gialloblu were playing some of the best football in Serie A during their run of victories.

Hellas scored nine goals, conceding four. Heading into the last international break, the two names on everyone’s lips were Jorginho and Juan Iturbe, who were integral in the club’s games against Livorno, Bologna, and Parma.

Jorginho had four of the nine goals, but three were via penalties. Still, it was more than his scoring that excited fans and potential suitors for the Brazilian. He also demonstrated the attributes of a lethal playmaker. He averages 1.4 key passes per match and 87% pass accuracy.

As for Iturbe, he had two goals, but possesses incredible dribbling ability. Two complete players, but it’s the latter who’s not permanent property of the Veronese side. He’s on loan from Porto, but the fee to acquire him is listed at €15 million. There are rumours that another Italian club could partner with Verona to co-own the Portuguese trequartista, but they remain as such for now.

Nonetheless, Hellas have clearly enjoyed having both of these players contributing to their early season success. Considering their win over AC Milan, and the close call against Juventus, the promoted side liked their chances.

Inter, however, weren’t having any of the Cinderella story. Just nine minutes in, off a corner, Jonathan fired a shot towards the net from close range. The ball was deflected by Vangelis Moras and in for the opener. Verona couldn’t have wished for a worse start.

Under three minutes later, it turned sour. Following another corner, Rodrigo Palacio pounced on the loose ball in the penalty area, smashing it past Rafael to double the Nerazzurri’s lead. Just like that, Verona were sinking without a trace.

After a few attempts, the visitors finally caught a break. Raphael Martinho got one back for the Gialloblu, giving their fans something to cheer about. Inter once again made sure that the momentum was killed early.

Esteban Cambiasso received a pass from Palacio from close range, he made no mistake and tapped it in to make it 3-1 just before halftime. It appeared to be one of those days for the new boys, as they couldn’t get a handle on the game. They stopped pressing teams high up the pitch, and it showed.

Rolando’s header off yet another corner made it 4-1, essentially clinching the victory for the Milanese side. By that point, it could’ve been the sixth goal. Romulo scored a consolation with under 20 minutes left, but it was too little, too late.

Moras’ day ended with a sending off due to an altercation with substitute Ishak Belfodil, who also saw red for his actions. Verona’s unlikely run ended in humiliating fashion, but there’s still plenty to look forward to.

They only dropped to sixth in the table with 16 points, just two back of a Europa League spot, and six behind the top three. Hellas’ next few matches feature Sampdoria and Cagliari at home, along with Genoa away. The Verona derby is the following week as they’ll be “hosting” Chievo at the Bentegodi. They then face Fiorentina on December 2nd.

There’s still plenty of opportunity for last year’s Serie B runners-up to gain several points, especially in the next three games. Inter are now in fourth place, just four points back of a Champions League spot.

Other talking points

• Roma won their ninth match in a row, narrowly defeating Udinese 1-0. The Giallorossi remain perfect to begin the season, and are still five points clear at the top of the table.
• Parma shocked AC Milan by defeating them 3-2 at home. Marco Parolo struck late in stoppage time to claim a brace and all three points. Antonio Cassano also scored against his former team.
• Napoli got back to winning ways by blanking Torino at the San Paolo 2-0. Gonzalo Higuain scored both goals as he slowly returns to full fitness.
• Juventus remain tied with the Partenopei, they recorded their first clean sheet since September 29th in all competitions by beating Genoa 2-0 at home.
• Juan Cuadrado buried two goals in Fiorentina’s 2-1 win over Chievo. They move back into the top five with that victory.
• Luigi De Canio’s first game as Catania manager ended in a 0-0 draw with Sassuolo. The Rossazzurri were without five of their star defenders, yet still manage to preserve a clean sheet.

Other results: Sampdoria 1-0 Atalanta; Bologna 1-0 Livorno; Lazio 2-0 Cagliari