Inter back on track with 4-2 win over Verona

MILAN (AP) Inter Milan got back to winning ways with a 4-2 victory over promoted Hellas Verona in Serie A on Saturday for a first win in four matches.

Verona was in fourth, a point ahead of Inter, heading into the match but coach Walter Mazzarri's team stormed into an early two-goal lead after poor defending by visiting Verona.

A corner came out to an unmarked Jonathan, whose volley was deflected into the back of the net in the 10th minute, and Rodrigo Palacio chested in a second two minutes later after Fredy Guarin's effort was cleared off the line.

Verona grabbed one back shortly after half an hour when Luca Toni knocked the ball down to Martinho, who forced his way into the area and drove a fine strike into the bottom right corner.

However, Inter restored its two-goal cushion six minutes later. Yuto Nagatomo's shot crashed off the far post and Palacio stabbed the rebound goalwards for Cambiasso to tap in.

Rolando extended Inter's lead 12 minutes after the break, bundling the ball home from practically on the line for his first goal for the club since joining on loan from Porto.

Romula fired Verona back into the game in the 71st minute and Toni thought he reduced the deficit again five minutes later but his effort was harshly ruled out for a perceived foul on Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia.

"We were naive at times, which we shouldn't have been," Mazzarri said. "We should never let our guard down in football and never think we have already won.

"We had a great game up to a certain point but if we want to be one of the top teams we should never take our foot off the gas."

Inter forward Ishak Belfodil and Verona defender Vangelis Moras were shown red cards after the final whistle for an off-the-ball scuffle.

"We made some silly mistakes and paid a heavy price for them," said Verona coach Andrea Mandorlini, who spent seven years at Inter as a player. "We conceded three goals on set plays and were too soft in those defensive situations. You can be unlucky if it's one, but that many in one match means you aren't focused enough.

"Aside from how well we played otherwise, the fact remains we can only blame ourselves for conceding those goals. We can do better, but above all must learn we can't keep making mistakes against the top clubs. We paid for those against Roma, Juventus and now Inter."

Inter moved provisionally six points behind leader Roma, which has won its opening eight matches and plays Udinese on Sunday.

Earlier, Sampdoria picked up its second victory of the season with a 1-0 win over 10-man Atalanta.

Atalanta, which had won three matches in a row, should have taken the lead on the stroke of halftime but Cristian Raimondi headed off the crossbar.

Shkodran Mustafi headed Sampdoria in front 10 minutes after the break. Atalanta midfielder Luca Cigarini tried to hit the ball away from goal but couldn't prevent it from going in. The referee initially showed him a red card and awarded a penalty but then opted to allow the goal and keep Cigarini on the pitch.

Atalanta was reduced to 10 men seven minutes later when substitute Constantin Nica was sent off in only his second Serie A appearance after bringing down Eder.