Expected to hit cruise control after wrapping up a domestic double in Wednesday’s cup final, Inter didn’t look in too much of a hurry to take the lead, and Yann Sommer instead was forced to claw Kieron Bowie’s deflected header off the line.
Though dominant in possession, the hosts still found chances hard to come by, but openings started to show in the minutes leading up to half-time, including when Andy Diouf broke free down the left and played it across the goal to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who couldn’t beat Lorenzo Montipò at his near post.
However, Inter quickly brushed off their first-half struggles, taking the lead just moments after the restart. It was a horrible 30 seconds or so for Verona defender Andrias Edmundsson, who first toed goalward to force Montipò into a save, before inadvertently deflecting into his own net from the resulting corner.
The Faroese did make amends a few minutes later, though, blocking Mkhitaryan’s shot before helping Montipò keep out Lautaro Martinez.
Inter used the final moments to bid farewell to some outgoing players – including Matteo Darmian and Yann Sommer – whilst also continuing to trouble.
Mattia Mosconi dragged wide in search of a first senior goal, before Petar Sucic was denied on the line by Edmundsson.
There was a late twist, though, as Inter were caught sleeping by Bowie, who shifted it onto his left foot and found the far corner from the edge of the area.
Cristian Chivu will be disappointed that his side couldn’t cling on to a ninth successive home head-to-head victory over Verona, while they also miss a chance to equal their second-highest tally of top-flight victories in a single season. Verona’s point means that they are almost sure of staying off the bottom of the table after the final matchday, but it will be back to the drawing board for Paolo Sammarco and Co. in Serie B next season.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Andrias Edmundsson (Hellas Verona)