Inter Milan defeated Fiorentina 2:1 at San Siro on Sunday, scoring twice in stoppage time after trailing 0:1 as the 90th minute arrived, SportoweFakty reports. Piotr Zielinski, who came on as a 78th-minute substitute, converted a penalty for the winner. Marcus Thuram had levelled moments earlier.
The result came in circumstances the Polish outlet describes as chaotic, with the match turning only after the regulation 90 minutes had elapsed. Inter had dominated for long stretches without scoring before Fiorentina took the lead.
Why it matters
Inter, the reigning Italian champions and a participant in European competition, were expected to beat a Fiorentina side that SportoweFakty says has disappointed for a second season running and is again fighting relegation. For much of the afternoon that expectation looked misplaced.
The win keeps Inter on course at the top end of the table while underlining a recurring theme of their season: the team creates plenty but converts little. Zielinski's decisive contribution from the bench also sharpens a selection question for coach Cristian Chivu, who has now left the Poland international among the substitutes in consecutive matches.
A one-sided first half without a goal
According to SportoweFakty, Chivu again named Zielinski as a substitute, just as he had for the previous 1:0 Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk. The report also notes the absence of backup goalkeeper Josep Martinez, with Ivan Provedel — best known for his time at Lazio — starting in his place.
Inter pushed into Fiorentina's half early but did not create clear-cut chances at first. The hosts tried to raise the tempo in the second quarter of the match. In the 24th minute Henrich Mkhitaryan missed the target, and a few minutes later Andy Diouf also failed to test David de Gea.
The home side's best opportunity of the opening period arrived in the 35th minute, when Thuram could not find the target. Fiorentina responded and grew more dangerous. In the 37th minute Inter had two efforts from promising positions: De Gea kept out the first acrobatically and Marco Brescianini blocked the second. Thuram then wasted another chance in the 44th minute, per SportoweFakty.
Jimenez strikes, then stoppage-time drama
Immediately after the interval the two sets of players clashed and shoved, which SportoweFakty says set the tone for a spicier second half. Inter kept attacking and in the 57th minute came close again, but Thuram failed to beat the goalkeeper from Carlos Augusto's low cross.
Fiorentina, having weathered the pressure, took the lead in the 64th minute. Alex Jimenez struck powerfully from distance and found the top corner, a finish SportoweFakty describes as worthy of applause. Inter now had roughly half an hour to respond.
Carlos Augusto headed against the crossbar in the 71st minute, and further contact with the visitors' frame followed from the same player in different circumstances, according to the report. The equaliser did not arrive until stoppage time, when Thuram — himself introduced from the bench — scored to make it 1:1.
Shortly afterwards Zielinski took responsibility from the penalty spot after a foul on Thuram. SportoweFakty places the kick in the 98th minute; other Polish outlets reported the winner in the 97th. Either way, Inter had turned the match around and won 2:1 in a game that stood at 0:1 once normal time had expired.
SportoweFakty's match summary lists the goals as Jimenez for Fiorentina in the 64th minute, Thuram for Inter in the 90th and Zielinski from the penalty spot, also recorded at 90.
Line-ups and what to watch
Provedel started in goal for Inter behind a back three of Yann Aurel Bisseck, Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni, with Federico Dimarco replacing Bastoni in the 77th minute. Diouf, Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan and Carlos Augusto formed the midfield, with Calhanoglu making way for Zielinski in the 78th minute. Petar Sucic came on for Mkhitaryan in the 77th and Matteo Lavelli replaced Barella in the 85th. Thuram and Francesco Pio Esposito led the line.
De Gea started for Fiorentina behind Alex Jimenez, Radu Dragusin, Marin Pongracic and Victor Valdepenas. Pongracic was replaced by a player listed as Viery in the 51st minute. Cher Ndour, Nicolo Fagioli and Brescianini played in midfield, with Franco Mastantuono, Mateo Pellegrino and Alieu Eybi Njie up front. Beto and Joao Mario came on for Pellegrino and Njie in the 82nd minute.
SportoweFakty judges that Inter deserved the win, having held the upper hand almost from the start, even if the manner of victory was wild. The next question is whether Chivu keeps Zielinski in reserve or hands him a starting role, with the midfielder's late intervention strengthening his case.
