Italian champions transfer inside one level of leaders Napoli

Inter Milan secured a vital 2-1 victory over Fiorentina on the San Siro, shifting them inside one level of Serie A leaders Napoli.

Marko Arnautovic’s second-half header sealed the win for Simone Inzaghi’s males, who avenged their 3-0 defeat to the identical opposition simply 4 days earlier.

Inter began trying to make amends for his or her latest setback in Florence. Wing-back Carlos Augusto and captain Lautaro Martinez each got here near opening the scoring, placing the woodwork within the early levels.

Their persistence paid off within the twenty eighth minute when a nook from Hakan Calhanoglu led to an personal purpose by Fiorentina centre-back Marin Pongracic, giving Inter a deserved lead.

Fiorentina struggled to achieve a foothold within the sport however had been handed a lifeline simply earlier than the break. A header from Robin Gosens struck the arm of Matteo Darmian contained in the field, resulting in a VAR evaluation and a penalty for the guests.

Rolando Mandragora stepped up and confidently dispatched the spot-kick previous Yann Sommer, levelling the rating at 1-1 earlier than half-time.

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Inter wasted little time reasserting their dominance within the second half, and it was substitute Marko Arnautovic who made the distinction. The Austrian, who had changed Marcus Thuram within the first half resulting from harm, rose highest within the 52nd minute to nod dwelling a exact cross from Augusto, restoring Inter’s lead.

From that second on, Inzaghi’s aspect managed proceedings, limiting Fiorentina to restricted alternatives.

Regardless of some late strain from the guests, together with a long-range effort from Piotr Zielinski that compelled a save from David De Gea, Inter held agency to say all three factors.

The victory sees Inter transfer as much as 54 factors, only one behind Napoli, maintaining them firmly within the title race

. They now put together for a vital conflict in opposition to fifth-placed Juventus on Sunday. Fiorentina, who stay sixth with 42 factors, will look to bounce again after they host Sixteenth-placed Como on the identical day.