Inter kept their Serie A title hopes alive with a narrow 1-0 victory over Hellas Verona at San Siro, staying three points adrift of leaders Napoli as the season enters its final stretch.
Simone Inzaghi made sweeping changes to his side ahead of their crucial Champions League semi-final second leg against Barcelona, resting key players after the thrilling 3-3 first-leg draw in Spain.
Only defender Yann Bisseck retained his place from that encounter, as Inter fielded a drastically altered starting eleven.
Despite the rotation, Inter started brightly and were rewarded early. A VAR review spotted a handball by Nicolas Valentini, leading to a penalty which Kristjan Asllani calmly converted in the ninth minute to settle nerves among the home supporters.
The early goal proved decisive in a match that gradually lost its intensity. Nicola Zalewski came closest to adding to the scoreline in the first half, unleashing a powerful 30-yard effort that brushed the roof of the net just before the break.
After halftime, the game became a midfield tussle with few clear opportunities for either side.
Hellas Verona, currently 15th and six points above the relegation zone, failed to capitalize on their chances to secure a more comfortable position in the standings.
Earlier in the day, Giacomo Raspadori had struck the winner for Napoli against Lecce, keeping the southern club three points ahead of Inter with three matches left. If both sides finish level on points, a title-deciding play-off will be necessary.
Inzaghi’s bold decision to rotate heavily, the first time Inter had made 10 or more changes between matches in any competition since a Coppa Italia clash with Cagliari in December 2015, ultimately paid off, delivering the Nerazzurri’s first league win since their 3-1 triumph over Cagliari on April 12. They had lost back-to-back fixtures to Bologna and Roma before this win.
With his successful penalty, Asllani became the 18th different Inter player to find the net in Serie A this term, a tally bettered only by Rennes (19) among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.
