Inter Milan scored twice in stoppage time to seal a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over Fiorentina at San Siro on Sunday, reclaiming top spot in Serie A.
Alex Jimenez’s stunning long-range strike put the struggling visitors on course for a shock win, but Marcus Thuram equalised in the 91st minute before winning a penalty that Piotr Zielinski converted in the 98th minute to complete Inter’s remarkable turnaround.
The victory lifted Cristian Chivu’s side back to the summit, level on 22 points with surprise title challengers Lazio. Fiorentina, meanwhile, extended their winless run to four matches and remained 18th in the standings.
Inter dominated much of the first half but found David de Gea in inspired form. The Fiorentina goalkeeper produced a fingertip save to deny Pio Esposito’s header before reacting sharply to parry Thuram’s angled effort.
De Gea was called into action again early in the second half, tipping a powerful Thuram strike over the crossbar. However, Fiorentina stunned the hosts in the 65th minute, taking the lead against the run of play.
Jimenez, formerly of AC Milan, caught Inter goalkeeper Ivan Provedel off guard with an audacious angled effort from distance that flew into the top corner.
Inter threw men forward in search of an equaliser, with Carlos Augusto’s glancing header clipping the top of the crossbar and De Gea producing another fine save to keep out substitute Petar Sucic. The hosts’ pressure finally paid off deep into stoppage time.
Thuram calmly guided a shot into the bottom corner in the 91st minute to draw Inter level before winning a penalty after being brought down in the box by Victor Valdepenas. Zielinski stepped up and converted from the spot in the 98th minute, completing a pulsating late comeback and sending the home crowd into celebration.
Elsewhere in Serie A on Sunday, Atalanta host Frosinone and Genoa take on Venezia, while Juventus travel to Lecce and AC Milan visit Udinese.
AFP
