Hellas Verona’s winless start to the 2025-26 Italian Serie A season continued on Sunday, after they were narrowly defeated by 2024 champions Inter Milan, SportPremi Reports.
The game looked destined to end in a 1-1 draw, until Martin Frese scored an own goal in stoppage time to give the visitors the victory at the Marcantonio Bentengodi.
It marked a second win in two games for Inter, who bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to defending champions Napoli and move up to second on the standings, while Hellas Verona remain in relegation zone and without a victory so far this season.
Gift Orban shines once again for Verona despite defeat
Gift Orban had joined Verona on an initial season-long loan deal in the summer, following limited playing minutes at Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga.
The forward had scored twice in six league games this season and was eyeing another assured performance against the former champions.
Inter Milan started the match brightly by constantly pressuring their opponents, with Piotr Zielinski denied by a brilliant save by the Verona goalkeeper.
The Polish international was not to be denied a second time, when he got on the end of a corner kick and slotted home the opener to give his side a 1-0 lead.
- ICYMI: Moses Simon scores as Paris FC beat AS Monaco in Ligue One
- Raphael Onyedika confident in Club Brugge’s chances against Barcelona
The home side grew in confidence and deservedly got their goal in the 40th minute when Orban provided the assist for Giovane to score their equalizer.
Orban was proving to be a menace for the Inter backline and almost put his side ahead in first half stoppage time only to be denied by the post.
However, the home side hearts were broken in stoppage time of the second half after a cross from Nicolo Barella bounced off Martin Frese and into the net to give Inter the lead.
Inter Milan won the match 2-1 to revive their title hopes, while Verona’s search for a first league win of the season continued.
Hellas Verona continue winless streak
Hellas Verona would have been happy to finish the game against Inter with a valuable point, until the stoppage-time heartbreak.
They are without a win after 10 matches, picking up just five points, drawing five and losing five of their league games so far.
Players Ratings:
Hellas Verona Players Ratings
- Montipo – 6.7
- Bella-Kotchap – 6.3
- Nelsson – 6.8
- Frese – 5.4
- Belghali – 6.4
- Akpa-Akpro – 6.7
- Gagliardini – 6.4
- Bernede – 5.7
- Bradaric – 6.3
- Nascimento – 7.7
- Orban – 7.6
Substitutes
- Niasse – 6.0
- Mosquera – 6.0
- Sarr – 6.0
Inter Milan Players Ratings
- Sommer – 6.3
- Bastoni – 7.9
- Bisseck – 7.6
- Akanji – 7.4
- Augusto – 7.3
- Zielinski – 7.8
- Calhanoglu – 8.7
- Sucic – 7.9
- Henrique – 6.5
- Martinez – 6.7
- Bonny – 6.2
Substitutes
- Dumfries – 6.0
- Barella – 7.2
- Esposito – 6.4
- Dimarco – 6.6
Man of the Match
Hakan Cahanoglu – (8.7/10) – The Inter Milan midfielder was very influential in the match with a very assured display in midfield and provided the assist for Piotr Zielinski to score his side’s first.
Key Stats
Ball Possession: Hellas Verona 27% – 73% Inter Milan
Total Shots: Hellas Verona 8-21 Inter Milan
Shots on target: Hellas Verona 2-6 Inter Milan
Pass Accuracy: Hellas Verona 72%-88% Inter Milan
Corner Kicks: Hellas Verona 4-8 Inter Milan
What Next?
Hellas Verona will hope to end their winless run when they clash with Lecce next weekend.
Inter Milan, on the other hand, play host to Kairat Almaty in the UEFA Champions League in midweek, before facing Lazio next weekend in the Italian Serie A.
