Inter Milan made it five wins from five with yet another slim victory, goal courtesy of deadline day signing Felipe Melo, while Hellas Verona have now slumped to 15th.
Roberto Mancini’s charges have extended their lead at the top of the Serie A table with a fifth consecutive victory, this time at the expense of Andrea Mandorlini’s Hellas side.
Tenacious defensive-midfielder Felipe Melo netted the only goal of the game with a bullet header 10 minutes after the interval, with Inter’s Veronese opponents offering very little in attack without talismanic striker Luca Toni.
The Nerazzurri kicked off proceedings in a lethargic manner, failing to carve an opening in front of the home crowd, though slowly played themselves into the game following former Inter man Giampaolo Pazzini’s injury in the 20th minute.
Despite drawing multiple saves from Rafael in goal for the Gialloblu, it was Mandorlini’s men who nearly took the lead, with Jacopo Sala rattling the crossbar with a ferocious strike only a minute before Inter found the breakthrough.
The solitary goal was once again enough for Mancini’s side, who entertain Fiorentina at the San Siro over the weekend in what promises to be a tantalising encounter between the top two sides, with Hellas hosting eighth-placed Lazio.
.@_felipemelo_: MotM vs Verona, Rating 8.24, Goals 1, Key Passes 2, Dribbles 2, Tackles 3, Clearances 3 @Inter pic.twitter.com/e9CEufVRT3
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 23, 2015
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