Inter Milan moved to within a point of Serie A leaders Napoli thanks to a 2-1 win against Fiorentina, exacting revenge for Thursday’s reversal.
Inter Milan kept their Serie A title hopes alive with a crucial 2-1 victory over Fiorentina at the San Siro. Marko Arnautovic emerged as the match-winner, scoring the decisive goal that helped the Nerazzurri move within a point of league leaders Napoli. The win served as the perfect revenge for Simone Inzaghi’s side, who had suffered a setback against Fiorentina just days earlier in their previous league encounter.
Inter Milan Start Brightly with Early Pressure
Right from the opening whistle, Inter signaled their intent to dominate. Within the first minute, Matteo Darmian burst forward down the right flank and whipped in an inch-perfect cross to Lautaro Martinez. The Argentine striker connected well with a half-volley, but his effort whistled agonizingly wide of the post.
Despite their early pressure, Inter found it difficult to penetrate Fiorentina’s well-organized defense. La Viola set up in a compact low block, making it tough for the Nerazzurri to find space in the final third. However, the hosts continued probing and nearly broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. Nicolo Barella attempted an audacious bicycle kick that had the crowd on its feet, only to see his effort drop just wide of the target.
Inter Strike the Woodwork Twice Before Taking the Lead
Inter’s persistence nearly paid off midway through the first half when they came within inches of scoring twice in quick succession. From back-to-back corners, Carlos Augusto saw his header rebound off the post, and moments later, Martinez rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort. Fiorentina had been given a major warning, but they failed to respond, and soon after, they found themselves behind.
Inter’s opening goal came in controversial fashion. Fiorentina players protested vehemently, arguing that the ball had gone out of play before a corner was awarded. However, the referee waved away their complaints, and Inter made the most of their opportunity. The delivery into the box caused chaos, leading to an unfortunate ricochet off Marin Pongracic and into the Fiorentina net. While the visitors were left fuming over the decision, the Nerazzurri celebrated their deserved lead.
Fiorentina Hit Back Through a Perfectly Placed Penalty
Just when it seemed that Inter would take control of proceedings, Fiorentina found a way back into the game. A well-worked attack saw Robin Gosens rise highest at the far post, directing a header toward goal. However, the ball struck Darmian’s outstretched arm, and after a brief VAR review, the referee pointed to the penalty spot.
There was immense pressure on the resulting penalty, but Rolando Mandragora showed nerves of steel. He placed his shot with pinpoint accuracy into the top corner, leaving Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer with no chance. With that, Fiorentina were back on level terms, setting up an intriguing second half.
Arnautovic Restores Inter’s Lead with a Determined Header
As the second half got underway, Inter wasted no time in reasserting their dominance. Just minutes after the restart, Carlos Augusto sent in a hopeful cross into the box. At first glance, it didn’t seem particularly dangerous, but Arnautovic had other ideas. Rising above his marker, the Austrian forward powered a header past the goalkeeper to restore Inter’s advantage.
The goal sent the home crowd into raptures and injected fresh energy into Inter’s attack. With the lead back in their hands, the Nerazzurri played with more confidence, pushing forward in search of a third goal to put the game beyond doubt.
Inter Push Forward But Fail to Extend Their Lead
Despite being in control of possession, Inter struggled to kill the game off. Fiorentina remained resilient at the back, frustrating their opponents and limiting their clear-cut chances. The best opportunity to extend the lead came 10 minutes from time when Nicola Zalewski found himself in space inside the box. However, his shot flashed just past the far post, much to the relief of the Fiorentina defense.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, struggled to create meaningful chances of their own. Their most notable effort in the latter stages came from Nicolo Zaniolo, who tried his luck from distance. However, his strike lacked power and accuracy, rolling harmlessly wide of the target.
Inter Hold Firm to Secure Crucial Three Points
As the clock ticked down, Inter expertly managed the game, maintaining possession and frustrating Fiorentina’s attempts to mount a late comeback. Their defensive organization ensured that La Viola barely threatened in the closing minutes, allowing the Nerazzurri to see out the game with minimal trouble.
The final whistle brought a roar of celebration from the home fans as Inter sealed their seventh home victory against Fiorentina in their last 10 meetings. More importantly, the three points kept them firmly in the hunt for the Serie A title, closing the gap on Napoli as the season enters its crucial phase.
While Fiorentina put up a resilient fight, they ultimately fell short against a determined Inter side that refused to drop points in their pursuit of successive Scudetti. With momentum now back on their side, Simone Inzaghi’s men will look to build on this victory as they continue their charge toward the Serie A summit.
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