Viola Nation - Fiorentina vs Inter Milan: Serie A 2021-2022A Fiorentina blog for Viola fanshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50059/viola-fav.png2021-09-23T01:02:13+02:00http://www.violanation.com/rss/stream/224630182021-09-23T01:02:13+02:002021-09-23T01:02:13+02:00Fiorentina 1-3 Inter Milan: Player grades and 3 things we learned
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v FC Internazionale - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LZCopeBpj_8Pv8cQ_C_x6y73Jsw=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69895783/1235416628.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>DEATH FROM ABOVE | Photo by Giuseppe Maffia/NurPhoto via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The end result wasn’t a shock, but the way it played out is quite educational once you get past the black cloud of rage.</p> <h1 id="N5fnND">Player grades</h1>
<p id="hPgYCM"><strong>Bartłomiej Drągowski</strong>—5: Couldn’t have really done anything differently on any of the goals, but giving up 3 is never a good thing for a goalkeeper. The reason I’m docking him points here is that he had a couple of serious goofs in possession. He got away with them, and we all understand that getting better with your feet means making some mistakes, but one a game feels sufficient.</p>
<p id="WCc7Ct"><strong>Marco Benassi</strong>—4.5: I don’t want to be too hard on one of the club’s long-term whipping boys; agreeing to start against <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> in an unfamiliar position shows some heart and Marco deserves credit. Maybe he’ll even grow into the role. However, his iffy first touch, weakness in the air, slowness stepping up or closing space, and general unfamiliarity with the job meant he was not very good today.</p>
<p id="Lnrc8d"><strong>Nikola Milenković</strong>—5.5: The best defender on the day, sure, but that’s not saying much. Mostly kept Lautaro Martínez and Edin Džeko in check, although he did give up a free kick right outside the area that Bart made a good save on.</p>
<p id="hFZ0VE"><strong>Matija Nastasić</strong>—5: Not sure why Vincenzo Italiano picked him, as this one required a lot of man-marking and running from the central defenders and Nasty’s not the quickest guy out there. Mostly kept himself in the right places, but also looked like he hadn’t played a competitive match in nearly a year. Seemed hesitant to step up, although he was okay with the ball at his feet.</p>
<p id="bd7hVP"><strong>Cristiano Biraghi</strong>—5: Really good going forward in the first half but vulnerable on the back foot throughout, which feels pretty par for the course at this point. Had two very good shots early on but faded later. Nowhere to be seen on Matteo Darmian’s equalizer. Can’t blame him too much for losing out to the much taller Džeko on the corner, but his defensive frailties are becoming a serious issue.</p>
<p id="3i01Lv"><strong>Giacomo Bonaventura</strong>—5: Very quiet game for Jack, likely because he was very tired. Had fewer touches than the other midfielders, didn’t really create anything, and lacked the energy to press very much. He’s class, but clearly can’t play 2 games in 4 days anymore.</p>
<p id="NZqbB5"><strong>Lucas Torreira</strong>—6.5: Much better this time around. Dictated the tempo relentlessly, constantly changing the angle of attacks and occasionally getting it forward himself. Pressed with an awe-inspiring fury, harrying Marcelo Brozović in particular throughout the first half and completely disrupting anything Inter tried to build from deep. Like everyone else, he faded a bit late on, but if this is the player he’s going to be, he’s a steal.</p>
<p id="rb0nSj"><strong>Alfred Duncan</strong>—6: Pressed very well, took one excellent shot, created a chance with a lovely ball in. Still missed some fairly simple passes, as his wont, but is showing why so many <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> fans have been clamoring for him for so long. His energy without the ball is his main selling point, but he’s more than capable of offering something in the final third, too, which makes him the most balanced midfielder on the roster after Jack.</p>
<p id="8WzXEN"><strong>Riccardo Sottil</strong>—6.5: Had a genuinely bizarre game. Scored the goal with a Callejón-esque back post run and worked hard without the ball, but left at least two goals out there with mind-numbingly bad decisions. He’s still testing the limits of his ability and trying to find his place in the hierarchy. It’ll come, but, like with Drągowski’s distribution, it’s going to be bumpy until he gets there.</p>
<p id="XdeSE5"><strong>Dušan Vlahović</strong>—6: Worked hard and was unlucky not to score early on while showing an unselfishness in the area that we haven’t seen before, teeing up González a few times. Grew increasingly frustrated with Sottil in particular as the winger missed him several times, which is fair, but he didn’t offer enough late on. In fairness, he was up against the best back three in Italy, so he’ll be okay.</p>
<p id="lFiM36"><strong>Nicolás González</strong>—7: Was hands down the best player on the field for the first 45 minutes, causing no end of trouble for Inter’s vaunted defense. Used his pace, technique, and physicality to carve out chances for himself and others. You can see why he was so upset, given the kicking he took throughout (Inter could have had at least twice as many bookings), but he also needs to calm himself down there. He can’t let his ego come before the team.</p>
<p id="dSo1cH"><strong>Sofyan Amrabat</strong>—5: Didn’t do anything especially wrong, but probably didn’t do anything especially right either. Buzzed around and won the ball well, but the team structure disintegrated around him as Fiorentina threw bodies forward. Italiano clearly views him as a regista more than anything, which is food for thought.</p>
<p id="XIYe9n"><strong>Álvaro Odriozola</strong>—5: Didn’t offer much going forward and didn’t defend particularly well either.</p>
<p id="CA74VO"><strong>Riccardo Saponara</strong>—4.5: Can’t really remember him doing anything, although he didn’t have many opportunities since Nico got sent off just moments after he came on.</p>
<p id="skxKAg"><strong>José Callejón</strong>—n/a: Played in central midfield for a couple of minutes, which was weird.</p>
<p id="vUZt2q"><strong>Aleksandr Kokorin</strong>—n/a: F*** off.</p>
<h1 id="YaRGHn">Three things we learned</h1>
<p id="nBhtAi"><strong>1. Fixing Fiorentina’s mindset is going to take a long time.</strong> We knew that, obviously, but this was a very good reminder of the gulf that yawns between a perennial underachiever and the reigning champions. The lack of focus showed in all the missed chances in the first half and the unraveling in the second. Allowing goals against the run of play and losing your head, even if it’s understandable why, are also the signs of a mentality problem. Italiano’s clearly got these guys believing in themselves more than they did under Giuseppe Iachini, but you can’t switch a mindset in a couple of months.</p>
<p id="wfWlkm"><strong>2. Fiorentina need to learn how to turn it on and off.</strong> The Viola played better in the first half than we’ve seen them play since, what, the first Vincenzo Montella era? Inter were clearly aghast at the energy and precision they walked into, but it was clear that the good guys wouldn’t be able to sustain that level against such a talented opponent, especially off just two days of rest. Still, it would’ve been much more effective to come out like maniacs, pin Inter back for half an hour, then sit a bit deeper to conserve energy in order to have something in reserve to attack in the second period. Instead, the Viola clearly shot their bolt and Inter were only too happy to take advantage. Italiano’s done a good job of helping his charges vary the tempo with the ball; the next step is varying the tempo without it.</p>
<p id="c6Q4Rv"><strong>3. Yall are smart as hell.</strong> I was really worried that such a disappointing game would lead to some recriminations and fury in the comments here (y’know, because it’s Fiorentina). Instead, everyone here took the exact right lessons out of the match without melting down. I love yall.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2021/9/23/22688107/fiorentina-1-3-inter-milan-player-grades-ratings-3-things-we-learned-serie-a-analysisThe Tito2021-09-21T22:57:07+02:002021-09-21T22:57:07+02:00Fiorentina 1-3 Inter Milan: Recap and highlights
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v FC Internazionale - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0q4bK-h-ir2H5ENbBSztVqiOWN8=/0x0:2568x1712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69890405/1341732406.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Mattia Ozbot - Inter/Inter via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s a tale of two halves as the Scudetto holders’ experience proves too much.</p> <h1 id="KvdLhO">Pre-match</h1>
<p id="89qL4D"><a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> manager Vincenzo Italiano made a number of changes, as is his wont. The big news was that he swapped out 75% of his defense: Marco Benassi (at rightback), Nikola Milenković, and Matija Nastasić (returning after a decade away) stepped in. Lucas Torreira and Alfred Duncan returned to the midfield, while Riccardo Sottil and Nico González—apparently recovered sufficiently from a knock against Genoa—flanked Dušan Vlahović. <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> boss Simone Inzaghi fielded the exact XI we expected.</p>
<h1 id="Pjr25c">First half</h1>
<p id="a0QyEh">Fiorentina came out the blocks like gangbusters, forcing Samir Handanović into three very good saves in the first 15 minutes as the visitors looked stunned by the Viola intensity. Eventually, Nicolás González made it count when he beat Milan Škriniar in the air, tracked down the ball, and squared it for Riccardo Sottil to tap home at the back post.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gol de Sottil ⚽ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FiorentinaInter?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FiorentinaInter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieATim?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieATim</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SerieA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SerieA</a> <br><br> <a href="https://t.co/CsCUiz3O22">pic.twitter.com/CsCUiz3O22</a></p>— Calcio24Horas (@Calcio24Horas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Calcio24Horas/status/1440396628620312583?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="jkCbZG">While most longtime Fiorentina fans waited for the usual letup, the boys in purple never stopped. While the Nerazzuri had a couple of chances—a Nastasić own goal that was correctly ruled out for offside, a Cristiano Biraghi handball nearly in the box—it was clear who had the ascendancy as Fiorentina were unlucky to double their lead after Sottil twice wasted gilt-edged chances.</p>
<h1 id="VXdHXu">Second half</h1>
<p id="ETc8ET">While Fiorentina once again dominated proceedings, Inter finally came to life and scored with their first shot on frame of the match. Nicolò Barella found Matteo Darmian (who was onside as Benassi was slow to step up) and the wingback smacked it home.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fiorentina 1-1 Inter Milan | GOAL! Darmian <br><br>to never miss any goal, Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/IFAST66?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IFAST66</a> <a href="https://t.co/OXgJdTPUwr">pic.twitter.com/OXgJdTPUwr</a></p>— Follow @IFAST66 (@ifast222) <a href="https://twitter.com/ifast222/status/1440406515123306500?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="sVSs6m">Three minutes later, Inter made their size advantage count from a corner. It was Edin Džeko who nodded home far too easily.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Edin Dzeko goal today against Fiorentina! His 4th goal in 5 Serie A games for Internazionale <a href="https://t.co/zB6b4RFr3K">pic.twitter.com/zB6b4RFr3K</a></p>— United Bosnia (@United_Bosnia) <a href="https://twitter.com/United_Bosnia/status/1440410997517271044?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="3eevWW">González ended it by getting himself sent off. After being obviously tugged back by Alessandro Bastoni, he demanded that referee Michael Fabbri book the defender. Instead, Fabbri booked the Argentina international for protest, then handed him a second one after Nico sarcastically applauded him.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Nico Gonzalez asked the referee for a yellow card after a foul on him, then clapped his hands into a red card <a href="https://t.co/VoeEMGMvHl">pic.twitter.com/VoeEMGMvHl</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1440413862050742286?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a>
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<p id="RcDebr">Ivan Perišić finished it as the Viola threw numbers forward late; when you’re down a man and chasing the game, this is pretty much what happens.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Fiorentina 1-3 Inter Milan | GOAL! Perisic <br><br>to never miss any goal, Follow <a href="https://twitter.com/IFAST66?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IFAST66</a> <a href="https://t.co/a9Ml0sLTxx">pic.twitter.com/a9Ml0sLTxx</a></p>— Follow @IFAST66 (@ifast222) <a href="https://twitter.com/ifast222/status/1440415833046454272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 21, 2021</a>
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<h1 id="7TPryo">Full time</h1>
<p id="v3dNrT"><strong>Goals</strong>: Sottil 23’ (ass. González); Darmian 52’ (ass. Barella), Džeko 55’ (ass. Çalhanoğlu), Perišić 87’ (ass. Gagliardini)</p>
<p id="Vjgn5w"><strong>Cards</strong>: González 78’ 78’; Škriniar 18’, Darmian 63’, Çalhanoğlu 83’</p>
<h1 id="qphUFE">What’s next</h1>
<p id="gmzrpH">Fiorentina’s win streak ends at 3, although the first half showed just how good this team can be. They can also feel pretty aggrieved that Fabbri let the visitors get away with some very physical play, especially in the second half. However, the real lesson here is that a winning mentality requires you to take your chances. The Viola had a hatful in the first 45 and only took one. It’s a painful lesson and the score doesn’t reflect the balance of the game, but it’s a learning experience to take into the trip to Udinese this weekend.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/2021/9/21/22686391/fiorentina-1-3-inter-milan-recap-highlights-goal-sottil-darmian-dzeko-gonzalez-red-card-serie-aThe Tito2021-09-21T19:50:39+02:002021-09-21T19:50:39+02:00Fiorentina vs Inter Milan: Lineups and how to watch
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<img alt="AC Siena v ACF Fiorentina - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ILhyyf0OtYYMWqVfmh5-kU-zsF0=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69889394/136165503.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Like the previous decade never happened. | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Viola have made some eye-catching changes and the Nerazzurri have done exactly what we expected.</p> <h1 id="f22ill">Late news</h1>
<p id="QOHJMb"><a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> boss Vincenzo Italiano has stayed true to form in his love of rotation. The surprise this time is Marco Benassi starting at rightback after Álvaro Odriozola picked up a knock in training while Lorenzo Venuti’s shoulder remains too tender to start. Elsewhere, Matija Nastasić will make his second debut in defense, while Nico González has recovered from a niggle in time to return to the XI; Riccardo Sottil gets the nod on the other wing. <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> boss Simone Inzaghi, on the other hand, has named the exact XI we predicted.</p>
<h1 id="202Map">Lineups</h1>
<p id="3JPMcb"><strong>Fiorentina</strong> (4-3-3): Drągowski; Benassi, Milenković, Nastasić, Biraghi; Bonaventura, Torreira, Duncan; González, Vlahović, Sottil</p>
<p id="42Nr5G"><strong>Inter Milan</strong> (3-5-2): Handanović; Škriniar, de Vrij, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Brozović, Çalhanoğlu, Perišić; Džeko, Martínez</p>
<h1 id="VA8Jih">How to watch</h1>
<p id="6vFx8A"><strong>TV</strong>: Despite this being the week’s marquee match, doesn’t look likely. Check the <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4064574/fiorentina-vs-internazionale/">full international television listings</a> just in case, though.</p>
<p id="XGbkzp"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4064574/fiorentina-vs-internazionale/">Here</a> is your list of safe, reliable, and legal streams. Any requests for or links to illegal streams will be deleted and get you <a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/wwe-wrestling-xULW8CTxqIxAdTPzQA">stunned</a>. If you’re the Twitter type, give us a follow; we’ll be providing live updates there. Otherwise, keep it in the comments for the usual loving horror with the best damn sports community on the internet.</p>
<p id="Wc3g84"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2021/9/21/22686234/fiorentina-inter-milan-serie-a-official-lineup-formation-watch-online-stream-match-threadThe Tito2021-09-21T08:30:00+02:002021-09-21T08:30:00+02:00Lampredotto with the frenemy: David McFarland fills us in on Inter
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<img alt="ACF Fiorentina v FC Internazionale - Serie A" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lnPcB0m_WAcVmdfuKqniqOki3gY=/0x0:2996x1997/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69886965/1300563839.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Who’s leading and who’s following? | Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Get the inside scoop on what to expect from tomorrow’s festivities. </p> <p id="uL7VMM">With quick turnaround between games, it could’ve been very easy to miss the preparation for <a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a>’s clash against <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a>. Fortunately, <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com/">Serpents of Madonnina</a> writer, <a href="https://twitter.com/DavidD_MC/status/1439241022861627395">perceptive Tweeter</a>, and general friend of the site David McFarland (<a href="https://twitter.com/DavidD_MC">give him a follow</a>) is here to let us know what to expect.</p>
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<p id="lrB04J"><strong>Viola Nation</strong>: Inter are in the middle of quite the 2-week stretch. They drew 2-2 at Sampdoria, lost a heartbreaker against <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a> in the <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/champions-league">Champions League</a>, and thumped Bologna 6-1. Now they get Fiorentina on 2 days’ rest, host Atalanta, and then travel to Ukraine for Shakhtar Donetsk. Can the squad maintain its intensity through such a gauntlet or is there going to be a letdown?</p>
<p id="4LEiW4"><strong>David McFarland</strong>: It would be unfair to ask Inter perform at its peak game in, game out, over the next few weeks but the Nerazzurri should continue to pick up results more often than not. Playing two times a week is going to take its toll but Inter has a massive roster. Even though we lost a lot of top-end talent this summer, the overall squad depth improved. Whereas Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez, and an oft-injured Alexis Sanchez were our only striker options last season, now we have Edin Dzeko, Joaquin Correa, and the very young Martin Satriano to go with Lautaro and Sanchez. Federico Dimarco can fill in at either left center back or wingback after returning from a Hellas Verona loan spell while the combination of Denzel Dumfries and Matteo Darmian man the starboard flank. Fatigue is still going to be a factor and the veterans will need to be carefully managed, but Inzaghi has all of the tools to stay competitive.</p>
<p id="2zs5KC"><strong>VN</strong>: There was some concern that the Scudetto-winning level the team found under Antonio Conte last year was going to drop off under Simone Inzaghi. Instead, he’s led his new team to 10 points from a possible 12, averaging a league-best 3.75 goals per game. Has he added anything new to the squad (besides much better hair) or is it just a matter of telling an experienced and talented group to carry on?</p>
<p id="KDYob7"><strong>DM</strong>: The hair is Inzaghi’s foremost attribute but he looks like a pretty dang good manager too. He and Conte share an affinity for the 3-5-2 formation but their respective styles differ substantially. Conte loved grinding out results and making it as hard as possible for the opponent to score. Inzaghi is more willing to attack and is willing to experiment.</p>
<p id="da3zDX">That’s had the effect of making Inter less stable defensively, but it has come with some high-scoring wins and delightful passing sequences in the final third. It doesn’t always work out (with Lukaku gone, Inter doesn’t have a go-to finisher) but Inzaghi Ball™ has the potential to be a hit at the San Siro.</p>
<p id="lW5PA4">Still, Conte’s impact is going to be around for a while. He did an excellent job taking already very good players to the next level (Bastoni, Skriniar, Barella, Lautaro, and so on) and thanks to last season’s Scudetto, this group has a winning mentality. And as Conte says, winning is addictive. So while Conte’s always a short-term manager, the positives someone at his caliber brings to a club won’t go away anytime soon. Now it’s Inzaghi’s turn to bring his own style to Inter and (hopefully) keep Inter at the top of Italian football.</p>
<p id="xdlVu4"><strong>VN</strong>: Losing Conte was a change, but losing Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi seemed like it might’ve been the death knell. Edin Džeko has looked like a decent replacement for the former, but Matteo Darmian, with respect, is a pretty significant downgrade. Is that decrease in talent going to catch up soon or is this the real Inter right now?</p>
<p id="u58Nqa"><strong>DM</strong>: There’s no doubt that the sales of Lukaku and Hakimi are going to cost Inter points in the table. They single-handedly won the Nerazzurri a not-insignificant number of games last season and as good as the current roster still is, it just doesn’t have the same difference makers.</p>
<p id="l5EnDU">The onus is on Inzaghi to get the entire eleven to contribute and fill the Lukaku and Hakimi sized holes. So far, so good. Inter’s taken care of its business in the league against mid to lower table opponents and even outplayed Real Madrid in the Champions League before an unlucky late winner for Los Blancos. The Spanish side has been Inter’s only real test so far, however, so the upcoming clashes with Fiorentina and Atalanta are going to say a lot about just how far along the Inzaghi era is.: </p>
<p id="BGMN3V"><strong>VN</strong>: We’re likely to see some significant squad rotation from both sides ahead of this one. Are you expecting any surprises in the team sheet? Which players do you think have a chance to really shine? Where are the weak links?</p>
<p id="SwXFwK"><strong>DM</strong>: With Inter entering into this one coming off a multi-game week and heading into Atalanta on the weekend and a UCL game the following Tuesday, squad rotation will certainly play a part in Inzaghi’s team selection. Joaquin Correa and Arturo Vidal (questionable) are out with injury and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to rest some of the normal starters, especially in defense.</p>
<p id="BVi7Db">Hakan Calhanoglu should be 100% after he was rested last time out while the forward roles are a toss-up between Lautaro, Dzeko, or Sanchez. The big question is on the flanks. Both Dimarco and Dumfries impressed against Bologna and put in a case to be the first-choice starters. Neither Perisic nor Darmian have looked up to speed so far as well. If Inzaghi sticks with the hot hand, Fiorentina’s fullbacks will have a busy evening.</p>
<p id="iHKBny">A potential area of weakness for Inter is the back-three if any of the starters are rested with Atalanta on the horizon. Dusan Vlahovic would love to go up against Andrea Ranocchia or Aleksandar Kolarov instead of Stefan de Vrij and Milan Skriniar.</p>
<p id="mUJbb2"><strong>VN</strong>: A pessimistic Inter fan might argue that the team looks like a flat track bully so far, having beaten up on some sides expected to finish mid-table or lower. How do you think they’ll fare against a Fiorentina side that wants to keep the ball, control the tempo, and press high up the pitch? They haven’t really played anyone who wants to take the game to them that way, so do you think the new challenge will keep them off balance?</p>
<p id="HRJxzF"><strong>DM</strong>: Fiorentina is definitely going to provide Inter a different type of test than it has faced so far. The Nerazzurri have already had some problems with high presses, especially as it looks to favor building out of the back. None of Inter’s opponents have been as possession-focused as the Viola either, so the battle for the ball in the center of the park will have a big say in the final outcome. Inter’s midfielders don’t fare particularly well against high presses and if Fiorentina win the midfield battle, the Nerazzurri will struggle across the pitch.</p>
<p id="EL1LIJ"><strong>VN</strong>: Prediction time: What’s the final score, who gets the goals, and what’s the overall pattern of the game?</p>
<p id="HYmcMw"><strong>DM</strong>: I’ll go with a 2-2 draw. Goals from Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglu for Inter, with Fiorentina’s strikes coming via Dusan Vlahovic (who else?) and Riccardo Sottil. As for how the game pans out, I think we’re in for a back-forth affair. Both teams like to attack and squad rotation could throw another variable into the mix as well.</p>
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<p id="H3bQAl">Thanks, David! Always a pleasure doing business with you. If you’re interested, the other half of our chat should be up on SoM pretty soon.</p>
https://www.violanation.com/special-features/2021/9/21/22685135/lampredotto-with-the-frenemy-david-mcfarland-fills-us-in-on-inter-milan-serie-a-interviewThe Tito2021-09-21T01:30:00+02:002021-09-21T01:30:00+02:00Fiorentina vs Inter Milan: Preview
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<img alt="Football Serie A 2021/2022 AS Roma-Fiorentina" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5_k1_3eOhWjIzocJkICLxAgGn38=/0x0:3543x2362/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69886079/1336247011.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Massimo Insabato/Archivio Massimo Insabato/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Viola return to the Franchi to try and keep their win streak going against the reigning champions.</p> <p id="mYLYNt"><a href="https://www.violanation.com">Fiorentina</a> doesn’t get long to celebrate its first win streak in two years after dispatching Genoa, as reigning champions <a href="https://www.serpentsofmadonnina.com">Inter Milan</a> come to town for a rare midweek match. In 181 previous meetings, the Viola hold a W49 D57 L75 mark, including W1 D5 L4 over the past 10 in the league. This fixture last year resulted in a 0-2 loss that could’ve been a lot worse if not for some goalkeeper heroics.</p>
<p id="7g1pyp">The referee for this one is 37-year-old Michael Fabbri of Ravenna, who’ll be making his Serie A debut for the season. In 97 previous matches, he’s handed out 453 yellow cards, 17 red cards, and 32 penalties; he’s also served suspensions for missed calls in the past, so don’t be shocked if he does something wacky here. Under his eye, Fiorentina hold a W4 D3 L4 record. We last saw him in the <a href="https://www.violanation.com/2020/6/28/21306105/lazio-2-1-fiorentina-player-grades-ratings-3-things-we-learned-serie-a-analysis">2-1 loss against Lazio</a> a couple years ago, when he dropped one of the worst refereeing performances you’ll see.</p>
<p id="wFlDXg">The match will be played on <strong>Tuesday, 21 September 2021</strong>, at <strong>6:45 PM GMT/2:45 PM EST</strong>, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in beautiful Firenze. The forecast calls for a lovely evening, as the rain is expected to dry up by mid-morning, which should leave for a cool, partly cloudy day; although the wind could pick up pretty heavily around kickoff, it should be very, very nice.</p>
<h1 id="APLDpr">Fiorentina</h1>
<p id="20nkDH">Through four matches, Fiorentina have gathered 9 points. That’s enough to put them in 5th place and good for their best start since 2015-2016, although their goal difference is just +1 and they’ve yet to keep a clean sheet. Still, the team is winning and winning with style, which is enough to get everyone’s attention and bring joy to a fanbase that’s suffered through a pretty rough stretch.</p>
<p id="3Nlowo">Manager Vincenzo Italiano won’t have CM Gaetano Castrovilli (ribs) or RB Lorenzo Venuti (shoulder), while LW Nicolás González will likely start from the bench if he’s available at all. That means we should see Ricky S on both wings as Saponara and Sottil slot in. Nikola Milenković will return to the defense, while Alfred Duncan and Lucas Torreira ought to round out the midfield next to Giacomo Bonaventura.</p>
<p id="DoXLTN">The Viola will look to dictate the tempo here by moving the ball around quickly, attempting to find creases in the defense or favorable 1-v-1 matchups. Sottil’s dynamism on the ball could make him a dangerous outlet against Ivan Perišić, while Saponara will look to pull the strings on the other side. Really, though, this one’s all about whether Dušan Vlahović can win his battles with some really talented Inter defenders. If he does, he’ll put his side in a good position to score. That means it’s up to his teammates to find him in the right areas and feed him chances.</p>
<h1 id="BmlBI2">Inter Milan</h1>
<p id="xhf39x">The reigning champions are also leading the league at the moment thanks to the division’s best attack (3.75 goals per game) despite losing Romelu Lukaku, Achraf Hakimi, and manager Antonio Conte. They’re fresh off a 6-1 bulldozing of Bologna and seem to be picking up right where they left off. The only caveats here are that they’re in the midst of a tough fortnight (at Fiorentina, vs Atalanta, at Shakhtar Donetsk, at Sassuolo) that could leave them exhausted, and that they’re yet to face a top-half side, were held to a draw at Sampdoria, and lost late on to <a href="https://www.managingmadrid.com">Real Madrid</a> last week.</p>
<p id="B1Tncy">Manager Simone Inzaghi won’t have CM Stefano Sensi (knee), CM Arturo Vidal (thigh), CM Christian Eriksen (heart), or CF Joaquín Correa (hip), so he won’t get to rotate as much as he’d like. That means we’ll likely see something like his top XI, with Hakan Çalhanoğlu returning to midfield and Edin Džeko and Lautaro Martínez up front in Inzaghi’s beloved 3-5-2.</p>
<p id="aEwOYf">Expect the visitors to sit a bit deeper and invite their hosts forward before looking to play Martínez into the channels, especially with Fiorentina’s fullbacks looking a bit suspect defensively. They’ll also be a serious threat from set piece, as Çalhanoğlu’s delivery is typically good and those big defenders (especially man-in-form Milan Skriniar) offer inviting targets in the box. If Inzaghi wants to change rhythm, though, he can rely on his midfield to keep the ball as well as Fiorentina’s can, although his men haven’t faced an opponent this year who presses with the intensity the Viola bring, which could disrupt their tempo.</p>
<h1 id="QOb6Kn">Possible lineups</h1>
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<cite>Made using <a class="ql-link" href="https://www.sharemytactics.com/" target="_blank">Share My Tactics</a></cite>
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<h1 id="VMZ9Kw">How to watch</h1>
<p id="6vFx8A"><strong>TV</strong>: Despite this being the week’s marquee match, doesn’t look likely. Check the <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4064574/fiorentina-vs-internazionale/">full international television listings</a> just in case, though.</p>
<p id="XGbkzp"><strong>Online</strong>: <a href="https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4064574/fiorentina-vs-internazionale/">Here</a> is your list of safe, reliable, and legal streams.</p>
<h1 id="CGcihD">Ted’s Memorial Blind Guess Department</h1>
<p id="JpIr3w">There’s a reason Inter are big favorites in this one: they’re the Scudetto holders, they just hammered Bologna, and they have a bigger name. The smart money is probably backing them. Since we’re not about smart money here, I’ll mention the fixture congestion, the fact that Fiorentina have generally stuck pretty close in these fixtures of late without actually winning them, and the fact that the Nerazzurri haven’t notched any quality wins yet.</p>
<p id="GaVyTa">Therefore, I’ll call it a 2-2 draw, with Vlahović striking from the spot and Sottil notching a solo effort while Martínez on the break and Skriniar from a free kick cancel them out. I’d also put pretty good odds on a PK being given (because Fabbri) and a very entertaining, back-and-forth match that leaves everyone breathless and wanting more.</p>
<p id="za6mg8"><strong>Forza Viola!</strong></p>
https://www.violanation.com/2021/9/21/22684539/fiorentina-inter-milan-serie-a-preview-score-prediction-lineup-formation-watch-onlineThe Tito