25 August 2021, 16:18 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
Italian Serie A fixture, Hellas Verona F.C. vs. Inter Milan kicks off at 19:45 (GMT+1) on Friday, August 27 at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi.
Preview Hellas Verona Serie A, Aug 27, 2021
Preview Ten-men Hellas Verona failed to pick up a point last Saturday after the home defeat to Sassuolo on Match Day 1. Having coached Sassuolo last season, Eusebio Di Francesco began Serie A life at Verona with a start against his former employers. Sassuolo took the lead through Giacomo Raspadori (32'), two minutes after the half-hour mark. Minutes later, Miguel Veloso (R. 45') was shown the red. Filip Djuricic (51') doubled the lead for Sassuolo before Verona's Mattia Zaccagni (71' P.) cut the deficit down to one from the penalty spot. Hamed Traore (77') extended Sassuolo's lead once again, but a last-gasp effort from Zaccagni (90') reduced the deficit once again. 3-2! It finished. A victory over Inter looks unlikely but Di Francesco would be on the hunt for a point against the defending champions. He could start with three at the back in a 3—4—2—1 formation to give his team more attacking options on the pitch. Nikola Kalinic is expected to lead the lines. On availability, Davide Faraoni remains doubtful while the captain, Miguel Veloso is suspended.
Preview Inter Serie A, Aug 27, 2021
Preview Life without Antonio Conte started on a bright note for the Serie A champions, Inter. The Black and Blues picked up an impressive 4-0 win over Genoa on home soil on Match Day 1. Genoa had no answer for the sheer brilliance of the new-looking Inter, - under the new boss, Simone Inzaghi. An inch-perfect cross from the summer signing, Hakan Calhanoglu picked out Milan Skriniar (6') in the box for Inter's first goal of the season. Minutes later, the former Milan player, Calhanoglu (14') bagged a debut goal. - A 20-yard strike which curled around and beyond the outstretched arms of Sirigu. Arturo Vidal (74') scored five minutes after coming off the bench for Inter's third before Edin Dzeko (87') wrapped up the three points with a debut goal of his own. Sidelined with injury, Lautaro Martinez watched on from the VIP section as his side thrashed the visitors. Latest reports suggest a €6.5M/year deal is being prepared for the skilful forward. Simone Inzaghi would like to build upon the fairytale start with another win on Friday. A dynamic 3—5—2 formation with Stefano Sensi playing alongside Edin Dzeko upfront is expected. Ivan Perisic and Darmian could be playing at the opposite ends of the five in the midfield. Goalkeeper, Gabriel Brazão and 27-year-old central midfielder, Roberto Gagliardini are both ruled out for this fixture.