Inter confidently defeated Hellas Verona 2-0 at the Stadio Bentegodi in Serie A action on Saturday evening.
Rodrigo Palacio opened the scoring early in the first half before Jonathan, who assisted the Argentinean, added the second of the night increasing the Nerazzurri’s unbeaten streak to six games.
Inter snatched the first chance of the match after five minutes when Mauro Icardi’s header struck the bar off of Fredy Guarin’s cross. He popped up again with a similar opportunity moments later through a Palacio assist, with the header missing wide right.
Finally, the visitors grabbed the opening goal following a brilliant run and pass from Jonathan, which caused Michelangelo Albertazzi to slip. The unmarked Palacio, fresh off signing an extension, tapped it into the open goal for the 1-0 lead.
The pressure continued a couple of minutes after the goal, but eventually Hellas Verona gained control with Marquinho narrowly missing with a blistering shot from distance.
Controversy ensued when Luca Toni appeared to be hauled down from Andrea Ranocchia, but the referee was having none of it despite several protests from the Gialloblu players, coaches and supporters.
Guarin then had a couple of attempts stopped easily by Rafael as the Colombian was persistent on scoring from anywhere on the pitch.
The visitors kept up the pace in the second half, with Icardi, Guarin and Palacio getting shots away, but weren’t enough to trouble Rafael.
Then just past the hour mark, Jonathan doubled the advantage with a simple tap-in from close range. Inter had seven attempts prior to that, Hellas didn’t even get a shot off until after the Brazilian netted the second of the match.
Vangelis Moras received what was the best scoring opportunity for Verona in the 72nd minute, but his header from six yards flashed over the bar.
Juan Iturbe had a great chance to grab a consolation, but Samir Handanovic got a palm to it and was able to stop the rebound right after on Romulo. That preserved the clean sheet as Inter held on for the 2-0 victory.
