A very early Lautaro Martinez strike proved to be enough for Inter to get the better of Hellas Verona, although once again they were angry with the referee.
The Nerazzurri were still missing Romelu Lukaku, Marcelo Brozovic and Samir Handanovic, but Hakan Calhanoglu returned with Nicolò Barella only ready for the bench after Parma forced them to extra time midweek in the Coppa Italia. Hellas had received a real boost with the arrival of coach Marco Zaffaroni, earning four points in two games and climbing off the foot of the table. Simone Verdi and Davide Faraoni didn’t make the trip.
It took under three minutes to break through, as Roberto Gagliardini’s shot was deflected into the path of Lautaro Martinez, who took a touch to thread it through a sea of legs into the near bottom corner.
Lautaro Martinez also aimed a header straight at Lorenzo Montipò from Gagliardini’s cross, while Josh Doig almost pounced on a Milan Skriniar muddle with Andre Onana.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan surged forward and his curling shot was deflected inches wide by Isak Hien’s forearm, but VAR ruled the arm was in a natural position and did not warrant a penalty.
Federico Dimarco’s roll across for Dzeko was intercepted by Hien, but Lautaro Martinez had wanted the pass back instead.
Martinez had the ball in the net with a delightful lob, but only after he had wrestled Pawel Dawidowicz to break free, so the referee waited until then to blow the whistle for the foul. This is what the referee did not do last week against Monza.
Inter were also furious with the official, demanding a second yellow card for Hien after a tussle with Dzeko.
Verona’s first real shot on goal came at the 70th minute, Kevin Lasagna sending Sulemana through for a low drive that Onana tipped round the near post, then Onana nearly collided with his own defender trying to clear a cross off the head of Lasagna.
Kristjan Asllani cut inside past a defender to fire just wide of the far top corner from the edge of the box, while Matteo Darmian scuffed his finish wide.
Inter 1-0 Verona
Lautaro Martinez 3 (I)