Inter were held to a 2-2 draw against Hellas Verona at the San Siro in their first Serie A encounter of the season.
Early goals from Luca Toni and Mauro Icardi meant the sides were even at half time, but Icardi added a second before Nico Lopez snatched a late equaliser to ensure both sides shared the points.
Despite a positive start to the game, Inter went behind. A quick counter lead by Emil Hallfredsson took the ball wide to Juanito Gomez, who crossed his ball in for Lazaros Christodoulopoulos to head back across goal for Luca Toni to volley home.
However, their lead was brief as Mauro Icardi equalised. The ball played into the box was headed back into play by Rodrigo Palacio for his compatriot to smash home. Inter were not done there as Zdravko Kuzmanovic sent in a curling effort that struck the upright, much to his dismay.
Having conceded early, Inter began to settle into the match and dictate proceedings. Verona keeper Rafael made a vital reaction save to deny Nemaja Vidic from a corner, the Serbian disappointed not to see his header beat the 32 year-old. The Nerazzurri with the bulk of the possession in the first half, Verona seemingly content to break on the counter.
Rain cascaded down on the San Siro pitch at half time. Dodo, who had a positive half for the Nerazzurri, sent in a cross from a set piece which narrowly missed the outstretched boot of Palacio. The Argentinian turned provider minutes later when he sent the ball across the box for Icardi, who eagerly slotted it home for his seventh Serie A goal of the season.
The lead looked like lasting just moments when Verona were awarded a penalty. Gary Medel was adjudged to have handled the ball, replays showing he threw his arms up to protect his face. Luca Toni stepped up and saw his penalty saved by Handanovic. Verona continued to threaten when Juanito received the ball free in the area but blasted way over, a seemingly easy opportunity when the Inter defense had switched off.
Verona came millimeters away from the equaliser. Substitute Gustavo Campanharo turned sharply in the area and blasted his effort at goal, hitting the crossbar and bouncing away much to the relief of Handanovic. Replays showed the ball had not crossed the line. Verona looked down and out, but substitutes Javier Saviola and Nico Lopez combined for the Uruguayan to leave the scoreline again.
The result means Walter Mazzarri’s side stay eighth in Serie A. Andrea Mandorlini will be pleased to have scraped a point against his former club, but Verona continue to languish midtable.
Follow Louis Gibberd-Thomas on Twitter: @mercutio156
