Inter Milan achieved a key victory over Fiorentina in a duel that was not without controversy. With this victory, Simone Inzaghi's team reduced the gap with Napoli to just one point, keeping the fight for the Serie A leadership alive. However, beyond the dominance shown on the field, the result was marked by a refereeing decision that favored the Nerazzurri and left the visiting team upset.
A First Goal Shrouded in Controversy
Inter showed an attacking attitude from the start, generating several dangerous chances. Lautaro Martinez and Carlos Augusto came close to opening the scoring with shots that crashed against the posts, while Nicolò Barella almost scored with a spectacular bicycle kick. But the first goal of the match came in an unexpected and controversial way.
In a play that seemed harmless, the referee awarded a corner kick in favor of Inter when the ball had already gone completely out of bounds in a previous action by Bastoni. Replays showed that the ball crossed the back line by at least 30 centimeters, a refereeing error that the VAR could not correct due to the current rules. From that corner came the own goal by Pongracic, who in a tussle with Lautaro Martinez ended up deflecting the ball into his own net.
The goal left Fiorentina frustrated, as a refereeing error changed the course of the match. However, the visitors were quick to react and found a chance before the break.
A Penalty Equalizes the Match, But Inter Doesn't Stop
A few minutes before the end of the first half, Fiorentina managed to level the score thanks to a penalty. Matteo Darmian, in an attempt to clear the ball, touched the ball with his hand unintentionally, but with his arm too far outstretched. The referee did not hesitate to award the penalty, and Rolando Mandragora made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball into the back of the net.
The equalizer just before the break seemed to give Fiorentina a boost, but Inter did not let the game slip through their fingers. From the start of the second half, the home side regained control and pressed with intensity in search of the winning goal.
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Arnautovic Decide As Inter Take Advantage Of Napoli's Stumble
Inzaghi's team came out determined to regain the lead and quickly succeeded. In a precise collective play, Inter moved the ball from one side to the other until they found the necessary space. Bastoni set up Carlos Augusto on the flank, and the Brazilian sent a perfect cross into the box, where Marko Arnautovic appeared with determination to finish and make it 2-1.
From that moment on, Inter managed the match intelligently, keeping possession and preventing Fiorentina from generating real danger. The victory, although marred by the controversy of the first goal, meant an important step in the fight for the lead, as the team took advantage of Napoli's draw to move closer in the table.
For Fiorentina, the defeat represented a wasted opportunity to get into the fight for the Champions League places. Despite the effort, the team was left with no points and with the feeling of having been wronged by a referee's decision that influenced the result.
Inter are now just one point behind Napoli and remain firmly in the hunt for the Serie A title. Fiorentina, on the other hand, will have to pull themselves together quickly if they want to stay in the fight for a place in European competitions.
