Inter Milan 4-3 Fiorentina
Inter Milan have started their Serie A title challenge with a stirring 4-3 win in their season opener against Fiorentina at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri, who have favourable Serie A 2020 odds to finally dethrone Juventus this season, were in legitimate danger of losing their season opener as Fiorentina led 3-2 heading into the final minutes.
But Inter staged a late comeback with two goals in the final three minutes of normal time to steal victory from the Viola.
Highlights of the game
Fiorentina made the perfect start to the match as they took a shock lead after just three minutes. Former Inter full-back Cristiano Biraghi sent in a dangerous ball into the box, and Giacomo Bonaventura unselfishly laid the ball off to Christian Kouame, who tapped the ball into an empty net.
Kouame came close to doubling the Viola’s lead, but Inter keeper Samir Handanovic came out of his line quickly to deny the young striker.
Shortly thereafter, Inter had a penalty shout after Lautaro Martinez went down in the box as he was attempting a shot. But after consulting with VAR, the referee did not give Inter the penalty.
However, Inter finally got their equaliser at the stroke of half-time. After a fine run from Nicolo Barella, Lautaro finished off a fine counterattack with a sensational strike from the edge of the box.
Inter would then take the lead seven minutes after the break, and Lautaro was once again prominently involved. The Argentinian striker showed great determination to get a shot off, and his effort was rewarded as Fiorentina centre-back Federico Ceccherini inadvertently directed the ball into his own net.
Inter’s lead would be short-lived, though, as Fiorentina struck back. Franck Ribery orchestrated a brilliant counterattack and set up Gaetano Castrovilli, who poked the ball past Handanovic.
And the Viola would vault ahead with yet another Ribery-led counter. The Frenchman supplied a sublime through ball to Federico Chiesa, who blew past the Inter defence and produced a cool finish.
Inter predictably piled on the pressure in search of another equaliser. Romelu Lukaku had two great chances that he failed to convert. Conte then brought on new signings Achraf Hakimi and Arturo Vidal, as well as Alexis Sanchez, for added firepower.
As Inter committed men forward, Ribery and Fiorentina very nearly caught them on the break for a third time, but substitute Dusan Vlahovic missed a golden opportunity to put the Viola up by two.
That would prove to be a costly miss as Inter would finally get their equaliser on 87 minutes. Alexis played a great ball to the onrushing Hakimi, who squared the ball perfectly for Lukaku to tap in from point-blank range.
And Inter would complete their comeback just a few moments later. Alexis was once again involved as he supplied the assist for Danilo D’Ambrosio, who outmuscled Vlahovic to head home the winner for the home side.
On the one hand, Inter deserve credit for coming back twice to get the win. But clearly, Conte has work to do in defence as his side were consistently caught out by Fiorentina on the counterattack.
With the likes of Lukaku, Lautaro, Alexis, and Hakimi, the Nerazzurri have the attacking weapons to cause any side problems. However, they must shore up the back if they are to seriously challenge Juventus, who looked impressive in their first match under new manager Andrea Pirlo.
Key statistics
By virtue of having to come from behind twice, Inter dominated the final statistics quite comfortably. They had 67 per cent of possession and produced 21 shots (eight on target) to Fiorentina’s 10 (four on target).
The front two of Lautaro and Lukaku continued their impressive production from last season, when they combined for 37 league goals. They combined for 10 total shots, four of which were on target.
Meanwhile, Alexis Sanchez continues his late-career renaissance with Inter. The 31-year-old had four goals and eight assists in 22 Serie A appearances for the Nerazzurri last season and made a major impact in his first game of this campaign.
What’s next?
Inter will be back in action in midweek as they take on newly promoted Benevento, who produced one the most surprising Serie A 2020 results to date with their 3-2 away win over Sampdoria.
And next weekend, they have a big test away to Lazio. Don’t forget to head over to SBOTOP when odds for that big match are released.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina will be at home as they face the aforementioned Sampdoria, who find themselves at the bottom of the table with two losses and six goals conceded in their first two games of the new season.
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