Inter strike quickly and hang on to defeat Fiorentina

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:52 am

Inter Milan clung on to beat 10-man Fiorentina 4-2 and hand boss Stefano Pioli his first win since taking charge.

Four days after throwing away a two-goal lead to lose to Hapoel Be'er Sheva and exit the Europa League, Inter were almost pegged back in Serie A despite leading 3-0 after 19 minutes.

Marcelo Brozovic, Antonio Candreva and Mauro Icardi all scored early for the hosts but Nikola Kalinic pulled one back and, after Gonzalo's controversial dismissal in first-half stoppage time, Josip Ilicic got another.

But Icardi struck in stoppage time to inflict a first defeat in seven league games on Fiorentina.

Brozovic opened the scoring after just three minutes when he ran on to a loose ball on the edge of the area and slotted into the bottom-right corner.

It was 2-0 six minutes later when Ciprian Tatarusanu could only palm Ivan Perisic's shot to Candreva who tucked into an empty net.

Mauro Icardi and Inter held on after taking a big early lead on Monday.
Mauro Icardi and Inter held on after taking a big early lead on Monday.
Marco Luzzani - Inter/Inter via Getty Images

Icardi then benefited from some poor defending to dribble past two markers in the box before placing home his fifth goal in as many games.

But Fiorentina hit back eight minutes before half-time when Kalinic ran on to a long ball and fired past Samir Handanovic.

Their comeback hopes took a hit when Gonzalo was shown a straight red card for blocking Icardi, though the Inter striker did not appear to have a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Fiorentina set up a nervy last 30 minutes at San Siro when Ilicic beat Handanovic at his near post.

But, after Inter substitute Joao Mario somehow fired over from close range, Icardi made no mistake from a similar position in the second minute of added time to secure the points.