Early Martinez goal gives Inter 1-0 win over Verona

Inter Milan defeated Hellas Verona 1-0 at home on Saturday, thanks to an early goal from striker Lautaro Martinez in a Serie A game with few chances.

Martinez opened the scoring after just three minutes, picking up the ball inside the box and firing it into the far left corner for his ninth league goal of the season.

“We scored early, and despite some tension in the closing stages, we remained solid and focused against a Verona side that could cause us problems,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi told Sky Sport Italia.

Martinez scored again in the 63rd minute, chipping the ball over keeper Lorenzo Montipo, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul on Pawel Dawidowicz during the buildup.

In the closing stages, Inter substitute Kristjan Asllani came close to scoring a second goal, but his shot from outside the box curled just outside the post.

After 18 games, Inter is level on 37 points with third-placed Juventus and 10 points behind leaders Napoli. Verona is in second place with nine points, six points behind the safety zone.

Napoli defeated Juventus 5-1 on Friday, while AC Milan rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Lecce on Saturday.