With both teams competing for a spot in the top four and a chance to stay up, there was a lot on the line. After the comeback victory over Lazio, Robin Gosens joined Milan Skriniar on the medical table, but there had to be some roster movement because Roma was coming up on Saturday. Despite the absence of Thomas Henry, Ardian Hrustic, Miguel Veloso, and Kevin Lasagna, Hellas had Marco Davide Faraoni returned from suspension.
Verona's Simone Verdi sprinted onto a slide-rule ball from Darko Lazovic and stung Samir Handanovic's hands at the near post for the game's first real chance on goal. A Hakan Calhanoglu set play resulted in Lorenzo Montip doing even better on Danilo D'Ambrosio at the back post on the next corner after Edin Dzeko's header was fingertipped over the bar. The custodian faced another challenge shortly after, stopping Stefan de Vrij with his legs.