Hellas Verona 2–1 USD Virtus Verona – International Club Friendly, 22 July 2026

Hellas Verona edged out their local rivals USD Virtus Verona 2–1 in a pre‑season derby friendly on 22 July 2026 at the Stadio Marcantonio Bentegodi. The match, played in front of a modest crowd, provided a competitive workout for both sides ahead of their respective seasons.

Match summary

Hellas Verona started brightly and took the lead in the 12th minute. A sweeping move from midfield ended with a low drive from the edge of the box that beat the Virtus goalkeeper. The hosts continued to dominate and doubled their advantage just before the half‑hour mark through a well‑placed header from a corner.

USD Virtus Verona pulled one back in the 41st minute. A defensive mix‑up allowed a Virtus forward to nip in and poke the ball home from close range, giving the away side a lifeline. The second half was more even, with both teams making numerous substitutions. Hellas Verona created the better chances but could not add to their tally, and the match finished 2–1.

Tactical observations

Hellas Verona set up in a 3‑5‑2, using wing‑backs to stretch the play. Their first two goals came from width and set pieces. USD Virtus Verona, playing a 4‑4‑2, worked hard to close spaces but were often caught out by the quality of Hellas' crosses. After the break, they adopted a more direct approach, which briefly unsettled the home defence.

Performers of note

• Hellas Verona's left wing‑back – provided the assist for the first goal and was a constant outlet down the flank.
• Virtus Verona's forward – always lively, took his goal well, and nearly equalised again with a curling effort that went just wide.

Friendly context

The win gives Hellas Verona a positive result as they fine‑tune their preparations for Serie A. USD Virtus Verona, competing in Serie C, will be encouraged by their second‑half display and the ability to test a top‑flight opponent. The 2–1 scoreline reflected the difference in quality, but the fight shown by the away side was commendable.