Inter 1-0 Verona: Laurtaro Martinez strike gives Nerazzurri vital three points in Champions League chase

Lautaro Martinez’s early goal was enough to give Inter victory over lowly Verona to draw level on points with third-place Juventus.

Henrik Mkhitaryan drove into the area in the third minute and the ball fell kindly to the Argentine striker who side-footed home into the corner.

There was not a great deal of goalmouth action after this point, despite Inter’s dominance, but Lautaro was unlucky not to score another when Pawel Dawidowicz was gifted a foul when the striker eased the defender out of the way 25 yards from goal before dinking a finish over Lorenzo Montipo.

Inter now lie in fourth place, a goal behind Juventus on goal difference and a point behind second-place AC Milan. Verona remain in the bottom three, six points adrift of safety.

TALKING POINT

Isak Hien looks made for English game – The centre back, who turned 24 yesterday, broke into the Swedish national side last year after securing a move from Djurgarden to Serie A in the summer. Despite being at the Marcantonio Bentegodi less than six months, Ii Verona’s situation remains parlous towards the end of January, it may be possible to snare him away and he has the look of a centre back who could flourish in England. He certainly looks like he could slot into a bottom half Premier League or high-flying Championship side and immediately add solidity. Eden Dzeko certainly found it very difficult to get the better of him and Hien also put in a perfectly-timed shoulder barge on Lautaro Martinez when the striker seemed set to double the margin early on. Along with strength and speed, his positional sense at the fulcrum of the Verona side appears good and he is also capable of driving out of defence with the ball to prompt attacking play too.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) – It was not a great game and the Argentine striker has put in better performances but he was still the best player on display. The two occasions he hit the net, one of which was allowed to stand, showed his quality but his passing was just as impressive bringing team-mates into play. In an Inter side that is showing precious little creativity or attacking zest elsewhere he is almost single-handedly keeping them relevant at present.

PLAYER RATINGS

Inter Milan: Onana 6; Skriniar 6, Acerbi 6, Bastoni 7; Darmian7, Gagliardini 6, Calhanoglu 6, Mkhitaryan 6, Dimarco 6; Lautaro Martinez 8*, Dzeko 6.

Subs: Correa 6, Asllani 7, Gosens 6, Barella 6.

Verona: Montipo 6; Dawidowicz 6, Hien 7, Ceccherini 6; Depaoli 6, Ilic 6, Tameze 6, Doig 6; Kallon 6, Djuric 6, Lazovic 6.

Subs: Sulemana 7, Veloso 6, Lasagna 6, Magnani 6, Piccoli 6.

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

3′ GOAL FOR INTER! That didn’t take long! Mkhitaryan raced into the box and the ball fell to Lautaro and he immediately controlled then dispatched a low sidefoot effort into the corner.

41′ LOVELY RUN FROM MKHITARYAN! But his shot is deflected wide of the target. They are now checking for a handball.

42′ NO PENALTY! It struck the elbow of Hien, but it was close to his body and would have been a harsh decision.

63′ GOAL FOR INTER – NO! Lautaro’s goal is disallowed. He raced through, out-strengthed Dawidowicz and delightfully lobbed the ball over Montipo but the defender was relieved to see the referee give a fairly soft free kick.

82′ LOVELY EFFORT FROM ASLLANI The Inter sub turned inside a defender 25 yards from goal and then fired an effort just a yard or so wide of the target.

KEY STAT