Late Own Goal Saves Inter from Verona Scare
Zielinski Magic and Late Luck Save the Day
Inter left it to the very last moment to secure a 2–1 victory over Hellas Verona — a match that had everything: training-ground brilliance, wasted chances, and a dramatic finish. Piotr Zielinski’s stunning volley and a last-gasp own goal from Martin Frese spared the Nerazzurri from embarrassment and kept their title chase alive.
The visitors, still missing Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, knew they couldn’t afford to drop points against a winless Verona. Yet it took just minutes for Lorenzo Montipò to remind them it wouldn’t be easy, tipping Zielinski’s early drive wide and frustrating Lautaro Martínez soon after with an incredible goal-line save.
Zielinski’s Precision from the Training Ground
Inter’s opener came from pure tactical art. A clever corner routine saw Hakan Çalhanoğlu roll the ball to the edge of the box, where Zielinski struck an unstoppable volley into the roof of the net — his first since a wild 4–4 draw with Juventus last year. It was a finish worthy of any highlight reel and a reminder of the Pole’s class.
The Nerazzurri looked in control, but Verona — desperate and dangerous — found an answer.
Giovane Strikes, Verona Fights Back
Gift Orban played Giovane through down the right, and the youngster stunned everyone with a thumping strike into the top corner, beating Yann Sommer’s fingertips. The home side even came inches from turning the game around just before halftime when Orban’s flick hit the post.
After the break, Verona’s spirit stayed strong. Giovane nearly punished a defensive lapse before being pulled down — and many thought Inter were lucky to keep all eleven on the pitch.
Late Chaos and Relief for Inzaghi
Substitute Francesco Pio Esposito came close to restoring the lead, and Dimarco tested Montipò again, but it looked destined to end 1–1 — until stoppage time. Nicolò Barella’s cross skipped through the box, hit Martin Frese, and deflected into his own net to hand Inter a scrappy, crucial win.
Not the prettiest, not the calmest — but three points nonetheless. For Inter, that’s what champions do.
