Inter return to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Sunday afternoon with the chance to extend a strong late-season run in Serie A. With Round 37 approaching the finish line, the meeting with Hellas Verona carries very different weight for the two sides.
For Inter, it is about maintaining control and finishing the campaign with authority. For Verona, it is another test of whether they can turn stubborn performances into points before time runs out.
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Why it matters
Inter’s recent results have kept them firmly on track, and another home win would underline the sense that they are ending the season in command rather than merely coasting to the finish. The combination of defensive control and consistent attacking output has made them difficult to unsettle.
Verona, by contrast, arrive needing a response after a run that has produced more frustration than reward. Their recent draws against Juventus and Lecce showed resilience, but the lack of goals has left them short of the kind of momentum they need at this stage of the campaign.
Form picture
Inter’s league form is strong and varied, with wins over Lazio, Parma and Cagliari backed up by a draw at Torino and a high-scoring victory at Como. That mix suggests a side capable of winning in different ways, whether by control, pressure or simply outlasting opponents in open games.
The broader picture is just as encouraging. Inter have also carried that rhythm into cup football, which points to a squad still playing with intensity and confidence rather than easing off as the season nears its end.
Verona’s recent league sequence tells a different story. They have taken only two points from their last five, and while the draw at Juventus stands out, the defeats to Como, AC Milan and Torino have left them searching for a sharper edge in both boxes.
The pattern is clear enough: Verona are not being overwhelmed every week, but they are struggling to turn competitive matches into positive results. That makes this trip to Milan a difficult assignment, especially against a side in better rhythm and with more attacking variety.
Key storyline
The main tactical theme is likely to be Inter’s ability to pin Verona back and force them into a long defensive spell. Inter’s 3-5-2 has given them balance and width from deeper areas, while also allowing their forwards to stay close to goal and attack quickly when space opens.
Verona’s 3-5-1-1 shape suggests a more cautious approach, with Tomas Suslov operating behind Kieron Bowie and the midfield line tasked with protecting the central areas. That setup may help them stay compact, but it also risks leaving them with too little presence if Inter establish early control.
Team news
Inter have only one listed injury concern, with Joaquín Correa unavailable through an unknown issue. The expected shape remains a 3-5-2, and the likely selection again points to a side built around structure, midfield control and the movement of Lautaro Martínez and Marcus Thuram.
There may be some continuity in the back line and midfield, with Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi and Yann Bisseck forming the defensive base and Nicolò Barella central to the tempo of the side. Andy Diouf, Carlos Augusto, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Petar Sučić are all in line to support the front two from advanced midfield roles.
Verona are missing Armel Bella-Kotchap with a shoulder injury, which slightly narrows their defensive options. Their recent line-ups suggest they are likely to stay with the same 3-5-1-1 structure, relying on Lorenzo Montipò behind a compact back three and a crowded midfield screen.
That means the visitors are expected to prioritise organisation over ambition, with Roberto Gagliardini and Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro helping to slow Inter’s central combinations. The challenge will be whether that shape can hold long enough to keep the game level into the later stages.
Tactical battle
The decisive area is likely to be the space between Verona’s midfield line and their back three. If Inter can move the ball quickly through Nicolò Barella and Petar Sučić, they should be able to create the kind of angles that stretch a deep block.
Verona’s best route is probably to keep the game narrow and frustrate Inter for as long as possible, then look for moments when Tomas Suslov can connect with Kieron Bowie on the break. If they are forced too deep, though, the pressure on Montipò and the centre-backs may become relentless.
Recent meetings
Inter have had the better of this fixture in recent meetings, winning four of the last five, including a 2-1 away victory in November and a 1-0 home win in May. Verona’s only positive result in that run was a 2-2 draw in May 2024, while Inter also produced a 5-0 away win in November 2024.
Reporter’s view
This has the feel of a match where Inter’s control and Verona’s caution point in the same direction. If the home side settle quickly, their shape and attacking depth should make it difficult for Verona to stay in the contest for long.
The visitors have shown enough resilience to suggest they will not simply fold, but their recent scoring record makes a comeback scenario hard to imagine. Inter look better equipped in every area that matters here, and the most likely pattern is a home side dictating the pace before pulling away.
Prediction
Inter to win, with their stronger form and greater attacking balance likely to decide the game.
