Inter Milan rally to beat Fiorentina 2-1
MILAN, Italy (AP) — Inter Milan came from behind to beat Fiorentina 2-1 in an entertaining match in the Italian league yesterday and stay in touch with leader Roma.
Giuseppe Rossi continued his fine run of form since returning from two years of injuries, scoring from the penalty spot on the hour mark to take his tally to six goals in seven matches. Joaquin had been pulled back in the area by Juan Jesus.
It was only the second goal Inter had conceded this season.
Esteban Cambiasso levelled in acrobatic fashion in the 72nd minute and Jonathan scored what was to prove the winner seven minutes from time to cap an all-round performance from the Inter fullback.
Inter moved level with Juventus and Napoli, two points behind Roma. Fiorentina are three points further back after their first loss of the season.
Inter had been ordered to keep one end of San Siro — the Curva Nord — closed as punishment for fan racism during the draw against Juventus.
Fiorentina was missing three key players as new signing Mario Gomez was injured, along with David Pizarro and Juan Cuadrado. Captain Manuel Pasqual added to the Tuscan side’s injury problems as he was forced off with a thigh injury 10 minutes from halftime and was replaced by Marcos Alonso.
Inter coach Walter Mazzarri started with the same team which had won the past three matches, including a 7-0 victory at Sassuolo on Sunday. And they almost took the lead inside the opening minute as Yuto Nagatomo forced a smart save out of Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto.
It was an open match and Inter almost created another goalscoring opportunity in the 11th minute when Hugo Campagnaro put in a tempting cross from the right. But Fiorentina did well to clear and almost took the lead on the counter when the ball came to Giuseppe Rossi who beat a defender and put in an angled drive which Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic parried with a deft, one-handed save.
The action was end-to-end and Inter again threatened moments later when they surged forward and outnumbered the Fiorentina defence five to two, but Saphir Taider fired into the sidenetting.
Rossi has been in fantastic form this season and the US-born forward was again at the heart of the action when he set up Joaquin for an effort which Handanovic did well to parry with his legs.
