Inter got closer to the honor of the Serie A title with a 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona on Sunday afternoon.
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I Nerazzurri was close to breaking the deadlock early, but Lautaro Martinez lifted his lobbed shot on the roof of the net. Antonio Conte’s men escaped a close shave shortly after, when Daniel Bessa forced a clever save from Samir Handanovic, and the return flashed all over his face.
⏸️ | INTERVALLO
Fin primotempo i San Siro, nessun gol sin qui ❌ # InterVerona 0⃣-0⃣
⚫️? #FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/sPWRZHYmRL
– Inter (@Inter) April 25, 2021
Inter struggled to create enough clear chances, although the visitors’ hard work was almost completely undone by a superb Achraf Hakimi free kick, but his effort crashed against the woodwork.
With the scoreboard showing that 76 minutes had been played, Nerazzurri nearly put themselves up another goal after Hakimi came through on the left. Fortunately for the home crowd, the keeper made the save.
Here are the players’ ratings.
Wrestling match in progress | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Samir Handanovic (GK) – 6/10 – Nothing to do during the first half of the year except a smart stop to deny Bessa up close. So little action during the second period, but remained on guard.
Milan Skriniar (CB) – 7/10 – Often looked to support his teammates up on the field, overlapping to join Hakimi and Lukaku. Defensively solid, but De Vrij cleaned everything behind him.
Stefan de Vrij (CB) – 8/10 – Bite straight into the Lasagne to avoid walking. A good fight. Swept up any danger on both the left and right in typical style.
Alessandro Bastoni (CB) – 8/10 – Produced a couple of excellent early interceptions when Verona looked to capture Inter. No one can get past this guy, though. Produced some brilliant last ditch defenses to clear at the far post in the second half. A deserved clean sheet for everyone.
The key man in midfield | Soccrates Images / Getty Images
Achraf Hakimi (RWB) – 8/10 – Whipped in some evil crosses from the right flank. Forced Silvestri to a fantastically low saving with a millennial cutter. Broke the post with a beautiful free kick and got an assist for the winner as well. Brilliant player.
Nicolo Barella (CM) – 7/10 – Such a relentless runner in midfield. Had to be dragged to the floor when I started Inter’s counterattacks – that’s the only way to stop him. An inconvenience.
Marcelo Brozovic (CM) – 7/10 – So calm in possession, dead ends escape with a drop of the shoulder and a shimmy. Dinked a particularly smart, disguised pass in Lukaku’s feet during the first half, which almost created the opener.
Christian Eriksen (CM) – 6/10 – Dropped in deep to come and collect holdings and then moved Inter up the pitch with a bit of a progressive pass. The lock could not be selected and was subbed shortly after one hour.
Ivan Perisic (LWB) – 6/10 – Struggled to get into the game when Inter looked to attack down the right side. Ran out of play and was substituted in the second half.
Waiting for a goal that … | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Romelu Lukaku (ST) – 6/10 – Looked really confused after losing in a battle of strength early in the first half. Sent in next week by a powerful barge. Could not get his goal this time.
Lautaro Martinez (ST) – 6/10 – Should have done better when he was clean through the goal, but raised his shot over the crossbar. Forced Verona to wrestle to the ground to stop a dangerous breakout. Subbed with 20 to play.
Subbed on | Jonathan Moscrop / Getty Images
Matteo Darmian (LWB) – 8/10 – SUPER SUB! Showed all the calm of an experienced striker to take aim and run cool into the far corner. Beautifully done and a massive goal for I Nerazzurri.
Stefano Sensi (CM) – 6/10
Alexis Sanchez (ST) – 7/10
Danilo D’Ambrosio (RWB) – 6/10
Roberto Gagliardini (CM) – 6/10
