PA Media/dpa
London
Inter Milan scored five times in the first half to trounce Verona 5-0 away from home and return to the top of Serie A on Saturday.
Simone Inzaghi’s team had missed the chance to jump above leaders Napoli when the sides met before the international break, Hakan Calhanoglu failing from the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw, but there were no such fine margins at the Marcantonio Bentegodi Stadium as the division’s most porous defence collapsed before the break. It moved Inter two points ahead of Antonio Conte’s side, who could return to the summit with a win at home to Roma on Sunday.
The rout of Verona began after 17 minutes, Joaquin Correa latching on to Marcus Thuram’s through ball and finishing beyond goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo. And four more times in the opening 45 minutes Montipo picked the ball out of his goal. Thuram was next to register, receiving a pass from Correa to slot home as goalscorer turned provider.
Verona had conceded 27 league goals before kick-off, four more than any other side in the division, and their confidence drained in front of their own fans as Inter continued to rip through them.
Thuram made it three after 25 minutes with his second of the game, benefitting from a fine pass from Alessandro Bastoni to ease the ball beyond Montipo and effectively end the game as a contest.
The luckless goalkeeper conceded for a fourth time in 31 minutes shortly afterwards, Stefan de Vrij finishing right footed from inside the penalty area following Kristjan Asllani’s corner.
Inzaghi’s side are looking to retain the title they won last season under the former Italy international and this marked their biggest victory of the season.