By Inter Milan stormed to the Serie A summit Saturday with a devastating first-half performance, crushing Hellas Verona 5-0 at the Stadio Bentegodi to move two points clear at the top of the table.
Simone Inzaghi’s defending champions scored all five goals in a remarkable opening 45 minutes, led by Marcus Thuram’s double and a resurgent Joaquin Correa, who marked his return to prominence with his first Serie A goal in over two years and two assists.
Correa, who had played just 38 minutes this season before replacing flu-stricken captain Lautaro Martinez, opened the scoring in the 17th minute with an elegant chip following an exchange with Thuram. The 30-year-old Argentine went on to hit the woodwork twice and set up Thuram for the first of his two goals, both scored within three minutes after the French forward rounded Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Montipo.
Defenders Stefan de Vrij and Yann Bisseck completed the first-half onslaught with unexpected strikes, the latter also assisted by Correa, prompting angry home supporters to jeer their team with chants demanding more effort.
“Correa showed his quality today when given the opportunity,” Inzaghi said. “To score five goals in one half away from home shows the team’s attacking potential, even without our captain.”
Inter’s leadership could prove brief, as Atalanta can claim top spot on goal difference with a win over promoted Parma in Saturday’s late match. The title race remains tight with Juventus facing AC Milan at the San Siro later Saturday, while defending champions Napoli host Roma Sunday in Claudio Ranieri’s return to top-flight management.
The defeat leaves Verona in growing danger, having lost nine of 13 league matches this season. The club sits 14th, just three points above the relegation zone.
