MILAN – Inter have slipped to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Fiorentina after a disappointing night at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza.
Roberto Mancini’s evening got off to a bad start when Stevan Jovetic sustained a thigh injury in the warm-up, forcing him to re-jig his starting eleven and bring Rodrigo Palacio into the fray. And there was more bad news barely three minutes into the game as Handanovic fouled Kalinic in the box to hand Fiorentina a penalty. Josip Ilicic made no mistake from the spot to fire the Viola into an early lead.
The Nerazzurri looked to gather themselves after a tough start, but it was Fiorentina who looked the more likely to score and indeed it wasn’t long before Kalinic stabbed home a loose ball to make it 0-2. The visitors were full of confidence and had their third on 23 minutes as Kalinic slid in to apply the finish to Alonso’s cross.
Again Inter attempted to rally, but there was another blow in store as Miranda received his marching orders for bringing down Kalinic as the last man. It was a certainly a half hour to forget, but to their credit the Nerazzurri fans did their best to cheer their side on.
Mancini made a change at half-time, bringing on Ranocchia in place Kondogbia. Inter were looking more solid, and were thrown a lifeline on 60 minutes when Icardi headed onto the post, only to keep his head and poke home the rebound for 3-1. Keen to make the most of the renewed impetus within the Inter ranks, Mancini sent Biabiany on in place of Perisic.
Yet Fiorentina’s one-man advantage was clear for all to see as they stroked the ball about, taking the sting out of Inter’s unlikely comeback. And Paulo Sousa’s men had the match sewn up on 77 minutes, when Ilicic selflessly squared for Kalinic to complete his hat-trick and condemn Inter to their first defeat of the season.
INTER 1-4 FIORENTINA (HT: 0-3)
Scorers: Ilicic pen. 4, Kalinic 18, 23, 77, Icardi 60.
INTER: 1 Handanovic; 21 Santon, 25 Miranda, 17 Medel, 12 Telles; 13 Guarin (Brozovic 77), 83 Melo, 7 Kondogbia (Ranocchia HT); 44 Perisic (Biabiany 60); 8 Palacio, 9 Icardi.
Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 5 Jesus, 14 Montoya, 22 Ljajic, 27 Gnoukouri, 55 Nagatomo, 93 Dimarco, 97 Manaj.
Coach: Roberto Mancini
FIORENTINA: 12 Tatarusanu; 32 Roncaglia (Gilberto 74), 2 Rodriguez, 13 Astori; 16 Blaszczykowski (Tomovic 69), 8 Vecino, 5 Badelj (Mati Fernandez 72), 28 Alonso; 72 Ilicic, 20 Borja Valero; 8 Kalinic.
Subs not used: 33 Sepe, 24 Lezzerini, 10 Bernardeschi, 11 Rebic, 18 Suarez, 21 Verdù, 22 Rossi, 30 Babacar.
Coach: Paulo Sousa.
Booked: Handanovic 3, Guarin 43, Kalinic 68, Medel 81, Alonso 90.
Sent off: Miranda 32.
Added time: 1 + 2 mins
Referee: Damato.
Assistants: Di Fiore, De Pinto.
Fourth official: Cariolato.
Additional assistants: Banti, Nasca.
Versión Española 日本語版 Versi Bahasa Indonesia Versione Italiana
