Inter came back from an early howler to beat Hellas Verona 3-1 at the Bentegodi, with debutant Joaquin Correa bagging a brace after Lautaro Martinez’s header.
The Nerazzurri had Lautaro Martinez back from suspension in a new partnership with Edin Dzeko, but Alexis Sanchez, Roberto Gagliardini and Christian Eriksen were out of action after the 4-0 win over Genoa. Hellas opened with a 3-2 home defeat to Sassuolo, with Miguel Veloso sent off before half-time and therefore suspended here, as Eusebio Di Francesco transformed his side with Antonin Barak as a False 9. Lorenzo Montipò made his debut in goal and immediately made a tricky save on Lautaro Martinez.
Samir Handanovic gifted the opening goal with a poor pass towards Marcelo Brozovic, intercepted by Ivan Ilicic, who kept his cool to chip the ‘keeper into an empty net.
Inter did have the ball in the net on 39 minutes, but only after Lautaro Martinez had nudged Montipò as he went to pluck it out of the air.
Antonin Barak’s poor first touch let the Nerazzurri off the hook after Zaccagni’s counter on another Brozovic error.
Inter were level just 70 seconds after the restart, as a long Ivan Perisic throw was flicked on by Edin Dzeko for Lautaro Martinez’s header from close range, anticipating Montipò.
Marco Davide Faraoni’s header was deflected over from point-blank range by Dzeko, but Inter nearly scored an identical goal to their equaliser, only this time Lautaro Martinez’s half-volley was wide.
Lautaro also had penalty appeals waved away for a Martin Hongla challenge and Montipò was at full stretch on Alessandro Bastoni’s angled drive.
Joaquin Correa made his Inter debut for the final 17 minutes and made an immediate impact, scoring the winning goal. Matteo Darmian did well to keep the Arturo Vidal pass in play and whip in a cross from the right, for Tucu’s towering header from 12 yards, steering it into the top corner.
It managed to get even better for the Argentine, who completed his brace in stoppages with a left-foot daisy-cutter from the D.
Verona 1-3 Inter
Ilic 15 (V), Lautaro Martinez 47 (I), Correa 83, 94 (I)