Inter Milan Won The Top Of The Standings After Silencing Fiorentina 2-0 At The Artemio Franchi

Nicolo Barella and Romelu Lukaku celebrate Inter's win over Fiorentina (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Inter Milan won the top of the Italian League standings after beating Fiorentina with a score of 2-0 in a match played at the Artemio Franchi Stadium, Florence, local Friday or Saturday morning WIB.

The Nerazzurri are now one point ahead of city rivals AC Milan with 47 points, while Fiorentina are stuck in 11th place with 22 points, Antara notes on the official Italian League website.

The perfect start to the weekend 🤩 Good night, #InterFans! 🖤💙 # FiorentinaInter #FORZAINTER pic.twitter.com/yY6W78SceE

- Inter (@Inter_en) February 5, 2021

Inter's opening goal of the match was scored by Nicolo Barella in the 30th minute, before Ivan Perisic's goal doubled their lead in the 51st minute.

Inter, who were not accompanied by coach Antonio Conte because they had to undergo a suspension, pressed from the start. The first good chance came from Barella and goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski was able to hold it with one hand.

Fiorentina struggled to keep up with Inter's pace, and were less dangerous on the counterattack.

After Barella's chances, Inter didn't create many chances but they controlled most of the game. Fiorentina took advantage of it to steal a chance through Dusan Vlahovic, whose shot was kept by goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Inter continued to press and they needed a magical moment from Barella, who found space to shoot from outside the area. His curling kick then sank into the top corner of the host's goal beyond Dragowski to reach.

📸 | GALLERYRelive tonight's win through the photos taken at the Franchi! 🖼️Full gallery 👉 https://t.co/nIuD1UtUYS#FiorentinaInter #FORZAINTER ⚫️🔵 pic.twitter.com/nNMQwkwEvU

- Inter (@Inter_en) February 5, 2021

Handanovic was then again threatened, when Giacomo Bonaventura entered the penalty box and fired a shot. The ball can still be deflected by Handanovic over the crossbar.

Inter doubled their lead at the start of the second half. Achraf Hakimi pushed his way down the right and then sent a pass which was completed perfectly by Perisic who was not guarded in front of goal.

Moments later it was Romelu Lukaku's turn to break into Fiorentina's goal using Perisic's ball, but the referee considered an offside and did not authorize the goal.

Hakimi continues to be a threat on the right side. He sends the ball to Lukaku in the middle, the Belgian takes one touch before throwing a shot wide.

A struggling Fiorentina put up a fight for Inter to bring in Kevin Malcuit and Aleksandr Kokorin in the final stages of the second half, hoping to turn things around.

But Inter are still in control of the game. They still had their last good chance when substitute Lautaro Martinez teamed up with Lukaku to force goalkeeper Dragowski into another save.

Regardless of the result Milan will get against Crotone on Sunday, Inter will hope to pocket their third straight win at Lazio next Sunday. On the other hand, Fiorentina will try to get back to winning ways when they visit Sampdoria headquarters on the same day.

The composition of players:

Fiorentina: Bartlomiej Dragowski, Lucas Martinez, German Pezzella, Igor, Lorenzo Venutti (KEvin Malcuit 73 '), Sofyan Amrabat, Borja Valero (Christian Kouame 46') Giacomo Bonaventura, Cristiano Biraghi (Antonio Barecca 82 '), Dusan Vlahovic (Aleksandr Kokorin 73 '), Valentin Eysseric (Erick Pulgar 74')

Coach: Cesare Prandelli

Inter Milan: Samir Handanovic, Milan Skriniar, Stefan de Vrij, Alessandro Bastoni, Achraf Hakimi, Nicolo Barella, Marcelo Brozovic, Arturo Vidal (Roberto Gagliardini 46 '), Ivan Perisic (Matteo Darmian 80'), Romelu Lukaku (Andrea Pinamonti 89 ') ), Alexis Sanchez (Lautaro Martinez 61 ')

Coach: Christian Stellini