Unstoppable Inter!

True champions find a way to win even when they aren’t playing ‘champagne football’ and that’s exactly one of the main hallmarks in Antonio Conte’s Inter. They were struggling at home against a plucky Hellas Verona side and scored the all-important goal 15 minutes from time. Goal, win, title.

The Serie A table-toppers hosted Verona at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza at the same time one of their title rivals Juventus were playing away at Fiorentina. But, with Inter ten points above second-placed Milan, maybe we could say it already – there are no title rivals for Inter anymore. Inter cannot be stopped!

Full backs Achraf Hakimi and Matteo Darmian combined and the latter slid a low effort beyond Marco Silvestri to make it 1-0. Hellas proved many time this season that they can be a tricky opposition for any team in Italy and they were worthy of their reputation against champions-elect. Even after falling behind, the team from Bentegodi pushed forward and made Inter hang on desperately to their hard-earned lead.

There was no flair and clear-cut chances for Inter’s attackers but this time it was the unlikely foot of former Manchester United flop Darmian who got the only goal of the game. It’s a sure sign of a championship-conquering team – even when they don’t dominate they find a way to grind out points.

Meanwhile, Juventus struggled in their trip to relegation-threatened Fiorentina. Young Serbian sensation Dusan Vlahovic scored a classy penalty on the half-hour mark to give Viola the lead against their traditional enemies Juve. Andrea Pirlo’s men came close to levelling through former Arsenal man Aaron Ramsey, but the Welshman dinked his shot just wide when in good position.

The introduction of Spanish striker Alvaro Morata proved an inspired move from Pirlo, as the old Chelsea striker made it 1-1 just 40 seconds after coming on for the start of the second half. Juventus had the momentum and they pushed their hosts hard for 45 more minutes in search of a win that they need badly to secure Champions League spot for next campaign. However, the goal never came and the Bianconeri had to settle for a 1-1 draw in a day where Inter proved that they are worthy of claiming the Scudetto after a decade-long wait.

SERIE A - Round 33

Saturday

Genoa - Spezia 2-0 (0-0)

/Scamacca 62, Shomurodov 86/

Parma - Crotone 3-4 (1-3)

/Hernani 29, Gervinho 49, Hihaila 54 - Magallan 14, Nwankwo 42, 69 pen, Ounas 45/

Sassuolo - Sampdoria 1-0 (0-0)

/Berardi 69/

Sunday

Benevento - Udinese 2-4 (1-2)

/Viola 34 pen, Lapadula 83 - Molina 4, Arslan 31, Larsen 49, Braaf 73/

Inter - Hellas Verona 1-0 (0-0)

/Darmian 76/

Fiorentina - Juventus 1-1 (1-0)

/Vlahovic 29 pen - Morata 46/

19.00: Cagliari - Roma

21.45: Atalanta - Bologna

Monday

19.30: Torino - Napoli

21.45: Lazio - Milan