Inter Milan won the title of “Winter Champion” after ensuring that it finished the first half of the season at the top of the Italian football league, with its dramatic victory on Saturday over its guest Verona 2-1 in the 19th stage of the competition.
Argentine Lautaro Martinez, the team’s captain, who returned from injury, scored the first goal for Inter (13), and Davide Fratesse added the second goal in the 93rd minute, while substitute Thomas Henry scored the visitors’ goal in the 74th minute.
Leader. Top scorer. Snake 🔵⚫️
Lautaro scores the first for Inter Milan 🔥#InterVerona #Italian Leauge #SerieA #STARZPLAYSports pic.twitter.com/TD0YTz0HIM
— STARZPLAY Sports (@STARZPLAYsports) January 6, 2024
Henry’s goal, which he scored just 45 seconds after he came on for Duric, made him the fastest substitute scorer in the current league season, according to Opta, a statistics company.
Henry, with the first touch, scores the equalizer for Verona against Inter 🔥 🔥
Inter Milan 1 – 1 Verona ☝🏼#InterVerona #Italian Leauge #SerieA #STARZPLAYSports pic.twitter.com/97ONR1mN3a
— STARZPLAY Sports (@STARZPLAYsports) January 6, 2024
Fratsie reveals snake venom 🔵⚫️
Inter Milan’s second goal in the last minute 🔥🔥 #InterVerona #Italian Leauge #SerieA #STARZPLAYSports pic.twitter.com/F1I6RHaEW5
— STARZPLAY Sports (@STARZPLAYsports) January 6, 2024
Hellas Verona completed the match with 10 players after its player, Darko Lazovic, was sent off in the 95th minute with a direct red card.
Thomas Henry missed a valuable opportunity to equalize in the final seconds by missing a penalty kick in the 101st minute of stoppage time.
Thomas Henry misses a penalty kick at the last minute of the match 🔥🔥 #InterVerona #Italian Leauge #SerieA #STARZPLAYSports pic.twitter.com/XxemnzlBlL
— STARZPLAY Sports (@STARZPLAYsports) January 6, 2024
With this victory, Inter Milan returned to the winning path in its start in the new year 2024 after drawing in the last round with Genoa 1-1, raising its score to 48 points to strengthen its position in the lead.
Hellas Verona’s score froze at 14 points in 18th place, remaining threatened with relegation to the second division.
The competition for the title appears to be confined between Inter and Juventus, as third-placed Milan now trails its neighbor by 12 points before hosting Empoli on Sunday.
