Inter’s hopes of a second consecutive Scudetto were again dashed as they drew 1-1 with Fiorentina in Milan.
The defending Serie A champions have won just two of their last nine league games after their stuttering form continued on Saturday.
Manager Simone Inzaghi has suggested Inter deserve more from their recent performances but could struggle after a game where Fiorentina initially lacked a lead but deserved Lucas Torreira’s.
Although Denzel Dumfries quickly responded with a draw, it was not followed by a winner, meaning Inter have collected just four points from their last four games at the San Siro.
The Nerazzurri knew they needed a result after Napoli’s win earlier in the day but were on the back foot until the end of the first half when Pietro Terracciano had to be sharpened to block Edin Dzeko.
Terracciano was grateful for the offside flag against Lautaro Martínez after a deflected shot from Dumfries gave the striker a straightforward finish, and an incisive move early in the second half gave Fiorentina the lead.
Gaetano Castrovilli sent a pass at the feet of Nico Gonzalez, who passed Ivan Perisic and scored for Torreira to score his second goal in as many matches.
Inter were behind by just over five minutes before Perisic moved to the back post, where Dumfries arrived to head.
A penalty scored for Martinez was disallowed after a VAR check as the hosts were again frustrated, and Inter ended up needing Samir Handanovic to produce a vital save in Jonathan Ikone’s stoppage time to retain a point.
What does that mean? Inter stopped in attack
Inter’s attacking play has taken them to the top this season, with their 62 Serie A goals still leading the league. Unfortunately, they’ve only scored nine times in their last seven matches – and five of them have come in a game against Salernitana.
Their attackers no longer delivering the goods, the “Nerazzurri” lost three points in advance, still with a game less than second-placed Napoli, but without the same advantage over leaders Milan, who can advance by six points on Saturday. .
Sanchez sent too late
Alexis Sanchez was back on the bench despite recovering from a draw in Turin on Sunday with a stoppage-time equalizer, and he had to wait until the 74th minute to replace Martinez.
Inter immediately looked like a more threatening proposition, although Sánchez’s only involvement in a shot was a brilliantly blocked attempt by former inmate Cristiano Biraghi in the 89th minute.
Duncan dominates the midfield
Torreira scored and Castrovilli assisted in the build-up, but it was the third member of Fiorentina’s midfield trio who stood out. Alfred Duncan was a powerful presence, making two tackles and winning five of his nine duels – his opponent Arturo Vidal won none of his six – while creating four joint chances.
Key Opts Facts
- Inter have drawn five in their last nine Serie A matches (2 wins and 2 losses), as many as in the previous 27 matches in the competition.
- Dumfries is one of four defenders to score at least four goals and provide at least four assists in Europe’s top five leagues this season, alongside Reece James, Jonathan Clauss and Theo Hernandez.
- There were just five minutes and eight seconds between Fiorentina’s goal and Dumfries’.
- Torreira has scored four Serie A goals this season, his best combined record in a single campaign across Europe’s top five leagues (four in 2017-18 with Sampdoria).
- Fiorentina have conceded goals in 11 consecutive away games in a Serie A season for the first time since May 2010 (13 under Cesare Prandelli).
What is the next?
The international break is followed by one of Inter’s biggest games of the season, when they travel to Turin to face Juventus. Fiorentina’s eighth place in European competition resumes at home to Empoli.