Friendlies Clubs· Season 2026
Hellas Verona thrashed ASD Rovereto 8-1 in their first pre-season friendly of 2026/27 at Folgaria, with Tomáš Suslov scoring twice in a dominant display.
Match Videos
Match Analysis
AI SummaryHow It Unfolded
Verona started at a ferocious tempo. Suslov opened the scoring after four minutes, finishing from Oualid Harroui's assist. Four minutes later, Amin Sarr made it 2-0 as the Gialloblù pressed high and disrupted Rovereto's attempts to play out from the back.
Suslov earned a penalty on 11 minutes after bursting into the box, but saw his spot-kick saved. That let-off lasted only five minutes: Rovereto's Grossi swung in a free kick that Verona goalkeeper Lorenzo Leali — wearing the captain's armband — turned into his own net on 16 minutes for 2-1.
Verona's response was ruthless. Kieran Bowie headed in from Domagoj Bradarić's corner on 25 minutes, Grigoris Kastanos scored after a goalmouth scramble three minutes later, and Bradarić made it 5-1 with a left-footed finish after a one-two with Sarr. Suslov completed his brace on 34 minutes, steering home to make it 6-1 at the break.
Baroni changed the entire outfield side at half-time. The second half was more measured, but substitute Isaac flicked in a Frese corner on 69 minutes for 7-1, and Andrei Vermesan turned in after Cerbone's shot was blocked on the line to round off the scoring at 8-1 in the 89th minute.
The Turning Point
Rovereto's equaliser — Leali's own goal making it 2-1 — briefly suggested an upset might be brewing. Verona's response was devastating: four goals in a nine-minute torrent from the 25th to the 34th minute that extinguished any hope and effectively ended the contest before half-time.
Key Performers
Tomáš Suslov was the standout. The Slovakian playmaker scored twice (4', 34'), won a penalty, and was at the heart of everything Verona created in the first half. His movement between the lines caused persistent problems.
Kieran Bowie led the line effectively, taking his headed goal well, while Amin Sarr and Domagoj Bradarić combined dangerously down the left, each scoring and providing an assist.
Isaac caught the eye after the break, scoring one and linking play neatly in the No. 10 role. Romanian striker Andrei Vermesan capped his appearance with a late goal.
By the Numbers — Interpreted
Verona's eight-goal haul against an Eccellenza (amateur) side reflects the gulf in class rather than any tactical revelation. The significant detail is the 4-2-3-1 shape Baroni used in both halves, with the same structure but two entirely different XIs — a clear sign he is prioritising system familiarity over personnel dependency. The 16th-minute own goal was Verona's only defensive blemish, and the penalty miss a minor individual note.
What It Means
This was Verona's first pre-season friendly under Marco Baroni, who returned as head coach this summer. The Gialloblù gave a run-out to 22 players across two XIs, blending experienced Serie A campaigners with younger prospects. The 4-2-3-1 system Baroni deployed in both halves signals his tactical direction for the season.
Verona continue their pre-season schedule with further friendlies before the competitive campaign gets underway. Their next fixture and the Serie BKT 2026-27 calendar are yet to be confirmed.
Verdict
A routine pre-season workout against vastly inferior opposition, but the scoreline and attacking fluency will encourage Baroni. Suslov's sharpness, the fluid front four combination, and the system continuity across two XIs were the positives. The defensive lapse that led to the own goal is a minor detail to correct.
Match Events
Key match events between Hellas Verona and Rovereto — 10 goals and 0 cards recorded during the match.
Missed Penalty
Rivalry since 2024
Hellas Verona vs Rovereto Head to Head Results· 1
Hellas Verona and Rovereto have met 1 times — Hellas Verona won 1, Rovereto won 0, with 0 draws. Their rivalry dates back to 2024. Hellas Verona leads the head-to-head with 1 victory from 1 meeting. A combined 8 goals have been scored across these fixtures, averaging 8.00 per match (7 for the home side, 1 for the visitors). Both teams scored in 1 match (100%). Over 2.5 goals landed in 1 game (100%), making it a fixture that tends to produce goals. The highest-scoring encounter finished 7–1 in 2024.
Statistics are for informational purposes only. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
API data: 21 Jul 2026