As hoped by Simone Inzaghi after the surprising crash in Florence, last night there was an immediate reaction of character from Inter in the rematch with Fiorentina. A convincing victory, strongly wanted by the team that almost never stopped pushing for all 90 minutes of play. A success that propels the Nerazzurri to just one point behind Napoli in a very open Scudetto race.
Staying on the match at San Siro, let’s go see 7 things you probably didn’t see during Inter-Fiorentina.
1 Let’s start from Simone Inzaghi’s match, lived with great intensity. After just 24 seconds, the Inter coach’s fury became apparent: Ranieri, shut up, the Demon yelled after a protest by the Viola defender at the start of the game. A furious energy that he managed to transmit to the team, pushing it to give everything on the field. Emblematic the celebration at the end of the match, definitely liberating after the criticisms received after Florence.
2 The possible penalty caused by Pongracic. At the 26th minute of the first half, the Fiorentina defender responded with a touch that remains very doubtful within the Viola’s penalty area a cross from the distance of Barella. An episode that was completely ignored by referee and VAR, despite the protests from Lautaro who from a few steps away claimed a deflection with the arm.
3 The match also saw other disputed refereeing decisions. The contact between Kean and Darmian cannot be considered a penalty: the too short distance makes the touch inevitable, without any real responsibility. On the contested corner, instead, Bastoni hits the ball out of the field, but it is Mandragora who actually sends it into the corner. Palladino should perhaps have focused more on the error of his own player than on the refereeing choices. Moreover, the difference between a corner kick with 0.03 Expected Goals xG and a penalty from 0.76 xG is huge. Because the maximum punishment given to Fiorentina remains inexplicable considering the very short distance between Gosens and Darmian at the moment of impact.
4 Among the positive notes of the evening there is Piotr Zielinski, who gave encouraging signals in the role of playmaker. With 48 balls touched, 92% successful passes, two duels won and an interception, the Pole offered a quality contribution. His entrance improved the fluidity of the play compared to a first half in which Calhanoglu was not able to impose himself. A first test passed, waiting for new confirmations.
5 Lautaro Martinez embodied the fighting spirit of the Inter. Already at the 3:58 minute he encouraged the fans to push the team, ending the game exhausted but always fighting. He had the first chance after just 50 seconds, then hit the crossbar, caused the own goal of Pongracic and was dominant in aerial play. A true captain’s performance for a striker who is experiencing a moment of grace.
6 One of the criticisms generally leveled at the Nerazzurri is the difficulty in unlocking matches against teams that defend low. Fiorentina started with six defenders in line and with Ranieri often going up to play the midfielder to close the man at the edge. However, this time Inter managed to find the right solutions, moving the ball quickly and accurately, unlike the Florence match. An important sign of growth.
7 Last detail from San Siro, was the presence in the stands of Fabregas and Chivu watching the match, as well as that of technical commissioner Luciano Spalletti. The Spanish coach took advantage of the free evening to attend Simone Inzaghi’s match first-hand, a coach he admires and whose playing ideas he is inspired by to some extent. The former Inter man, on the other hand, remains the favorite to lead Inter’s Under 23s, which is expected to debut in the Serie C championship next year, after an important experience with the Nerazzurri’s Primavera.
