Inter Milan shared points in a dramatic match against Fiorentina: The top spot in Serie A is under serious threat.
Esposito's quick goal wasn't enough to overcome a resilient Fiorentina, making the Serie A title race more intense than ever.
The 1-1 draw at Stadio Artemio Franchi was not just a football result, but also a wake-up call for Inter Milan's Scudetto ambitions. Despite taking the lead in the 39th second, interim coach Aleksandar Kolarov's side were unable to maintain their advantage against Fiorentina's strong resurgence in the second half.
The initial outburst and the intervention of VAR.
The match began in an unexpected way, with the visiting team launching an attack immediately after the opening whistle. Just 39 seconds later, Francesco Pio Esposito unleashed a powerful header into David de Gea's net following a precise cross from captain Nicolo Barella.
The early goal boosted Inter's morale. In the 7th minute, Fiorentina's net was shaken for the second time after a shot from Barella. However, referee Andrea Colombo disallowed the goal after consulting VAR due to offside, saving the home team from an early and potentially disastrous outcome.
La Viola's resilience and Cher Ndou's brilliant performance.
Fiorentina remained unfazed by the pressure. Moise Kean and Albert Gudmundsson constantly troubled Inter's defense. Yann Sommer had to work at full capacity, making at least two spectacular saves against dangerous shots from Kean and Cher Ndour to maintain their slender lead in the first half.
In the second half, "The Viola" completely transformed their performance. The relentless pressure from the Florence team finally paid off in the 77th minute. Gudmundsson's dangerous cross was too much for goalkeeper Sommer to hold onto, allowing Cher Ndour to pounce on the rebound and equalize the score at 1-1.
A world-class showdown between Esposito and David de Gea
The final minutes of the match unfolded at a breakneck pace. Inter brought on Ange-Yoan Bonny and Davide Frattesi in an attempt to create a breakthrough. In the very last minute of added time, Esposito nearly became the hero with a lightning-fast turn and shot inside the penalty area.
However, David de Gea proved his world-class ability with an incredible diving save, securing a valuable point for the home team. This draw meant Inter Milan missed the opportunity to widen the gap with the chasing pack, while Fiorentina temporarily moved away from the relegation zone after a difficult period at the beginning of 2025.
Match statistics
| Parameter | Fiorentina | Inter Milan |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 1 | 1 |
| Goal scorer | Cher Ndour (77') | F. Esposito (1') |
| Goalkeeper makes a save. | David de Gea | Yann Sommer |
The final result accurately reflected the events on the pitch, with both teams having their own moments of brilliance. Inter needs to quickly regain stability if they don't want to lose their top spot to their closest rivals.
