It’s been a very somber and unhappy start to the Serie A season for most of the league’s big teams. Juventus, Roma, AC Milan, Napoli, and Lazio have all struggled, staring the season in much weaker form than any of those sides were hoping for. Know who’s smiling? Inter Milan.
Inter Milan vs. Hellas Verona 2015 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Inter will try to cement their place atop the Serie A table with a win against Verona.
Marco Luzzani/Getty Images
Inter are perfect so far this season at four wins in four matches, including a huge victory in the Derby della Madonnina against Milan in week three. They’ve impressed in attack, they’ve been solid in defense, and what’s more, they’re playing with the freedom and confidence of being a happy team. Whatever Roberto Mancini is doing this season, it’s working, and players and fans alike are enjoying the results of those efforts.
Now it’s time to test that joy against Hellas Verona, who have found this season much less fun so far this season. They’ve been good at earning draws this season, but haven’t particularly impressed in any of their matches, and now to make matters worse they have to deal with life without Luca Toni, the top scorer in Italy over the past two seasons -- though he shared the capocannoniere award with Inter’s Mauro Icardi this past season.
Key player -- Mauro Icardi (Inter)
Speaking of Icardi, he’s going to be at the forefront of whatever Inter do in this match. Strike partner Stevan Jovetic is Inter’s leading scorer so far this season with three goals to his name, but Icardi scored at the weekend against Chievo and is adapting to his new role as Inter’s captain and on-pitch leader well. He also just so happens to be Inter’s most talented forward, and against a Verona defense that hasn’t exactly performed well this season, he could have quite a fun time out there in this match.
Key Matchup -- Marcelo Brozovic (Inter) vs. Jacopo Sala (Hellas Verona)
Brozovic hasn’t started Inter’s last two matches, but with rotation needed for midweek, he’s likely to get the start against Verona. The creative Croatian has had an up-and-down start to his Inter career since joining in January, but this match represents a good chance to get rolling as an important player for the side. He’ll be matched up against Sala, who’s had a solid season for Verona despite nearly leaving in the transfer window, with Inter among the interested clubs. With Verona missing Emil Hallfredsson, Sala will need to be at his best, but the young Italian does have the ability to keep Brozovic at bay -- assuming Inter don’t throw too much at him in their efforts to blow Verona out of the water.
Inter Milan injuries and suspensions
Out: Dodo (knee), Nemanja Vidic (back), Jeison Murillo (hamstring) In doubt: Juan Jesus (foot), Miranda (knee)
Hellas Verona injuries and suspensions
Out: Luca Toni (knee), Emil Hallfredsson (knee) In doubt: Rafa Marquez (groin)
It looks like there’s going to be quite a few absences in this match, with Verona missing three of their best players and Milan with a raft of defensive injuries. Between those absences and typical rotation for a midweek fixture, both teams might wind up looking a little patchwork when they announce their starting lineups.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 8:45 p.m. local
Venue: San Siro, Milan, Italy
TV: Sky Sport 1 HD Italia, Sky Calcio 1, Premium Calcio 2 (Italy), RAI International
Online: beIN Sports Connect (U.S.), Sky Go Italia (Italy)
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