- Marko Arnautovic scores winner as Inter beat Fiorentina
- Hosts capitalize on Napoli’s slip to close the gap at the top
- Own goal from Marin Pongracic and Mandragora’s penalty add to the drama
Inter Take Full Advantage of Napoli’s Draw
Inter Milan narrowed the gap to Serie A leaders Napoli to just one point after a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Fiorentina at the San Siro on Monday night.
With Napoli dropping points in a 1-1 draw against Udinese the day before, Simone Inzaghi’s side had the perfect opportunity to apply pressure in the title race—and they took it.
Inter started the game on the front foot, twice hitting the woodwork early on. Carlos Augusto saw his header crash off the post, while Lautaro Martinez’s powerful effort struck the crossbar just minutes later.
They finally broke the deadlock in the 28th minute, albeit in fortunate fashion. Hakan Calhanoglu whipped in a dangerous corner, which Marin Pongracic inadvertently deflected into his own net, giving Inter a 1-0 lead.
However, Fiorentina struck back just before halftime. Matteo Darmian handled the ball inside the box, and Rolando Mandragora confidently dispatched the resulting penalty to make it 1-1 at the break.
Arnautovic Steps Up as Inter Take Control
Inzaghi made tactical adjustments at halftime, and substitute Marko Arnautovic made an immediate impact. Just seven minutes after the restart, Augusto delivered a pinpoint cross, and Arnautovic rose highest to head past David de Gea, restoring Inter’s lead at 2-1.
Despite creating numerous chances in the final stages—Nicola Zalewski, Nicolo Barella, and Piotr Zielinski all tested De Gea—Inter couldn’t extend their lead.
However, their dominant performance ensured they held on for a crucial three points, keeping them firmly in the Serie A title race.
Match Stats & Key Takeaways
- Inter registered 22 shots, double their total from their last meeting with Fiorentina (11).
- This marks Inter’s second consecutive home league win over Fiorentina, something they hadn’t achieved since 2018.
- Inter have now scored 10 headed goals in Serie A this season, second only to Atalanta (11).
- Arnautovic has now been involved in two goals in his last two Serie A home appearances, after going scoreless since May 2024.
What’s Next?
With this victory, Inter now sit just one point behind Napoli, setting up an exciting title race as the season progresses. They’ll look to maintain their momentum in their next fixture, while Fiorentina will aim to bounce back after another frustrating defeat.
Can Inter overtake Napoli and reclaim the top spot? The race for the Scudetto is heating up! 🔥
