Final score

13 April 2008 20:30

Inter
17' (2nd half) Balotelli
10' (2nd half) Cambiasso
Fiorentina
Referee: Massimiliano Saccani / Linesmen: Ayroldi, Maggiani / Fourth official: Romero
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Minute Text commentary
47' It's 0-0 at half time.
47' Maicon heads behind for a corner after Mutu fails to reach Santana's dangerous cross from the right.
46' Balotelli's curling free kick is saved by Frey.
45' Two minutes of additional time.
45' The first card of the match (a yellow one) goes to Gamberini for clattering Balotelli to the ground inches outside the area.
43' Materazzi connects with Balotelli's left-wing corner - but the defender's header is high and wide.
42' Inter so close... Julio Cruz' header from Stankovic's pin-point cross is miraculously tipped over by Frey.
41' Balotelli swings a cross into the box. Ujfalusi clears with his head.
38' Adriano Mutu's sweet strike from distance sails wide of the left post.
36' Great ball in from the right by Maicon. Frey climbs at the back post and snatches the ball to deny Cambiasso.
35' Frey is still on the pitch, but Montolivo just took a goal kick for him.
34' Play held up as Frey receives more treatment. Reserve keeper Avramov is warming up.
33' Cruz' downwards header from Balotelli's corner forces Frey into a brilliant save. Maicon keeps the keeper busy with a low shot from 20 yards.
33' Ferocious shot from Javier Zanetti. It was about 25 yards from goal. Frey parries, and it's a corner.
32' Maicon heads wide Balotelli's cross from a 40-yard free kick.
29' Frey's okay, and play resumes.
28' Frey gets hurt after Mario Balotelli's attempt at a shot on the turn goes wrong. Play momentarily interrupted as the French keeper receives treatment to a kick in the tummy.
25' Great move by the Nerazzurri. In fact, by Vieira and Balotelli. The pair combine to devastating effect but the 17-year-old's final cross is cut out by Gamberini.
24' Back in the Viola half, Stankovic drifts inside, creating space for a shot, but his low 25-yarder is too weak to severely test Frey.
22' Fiorentina close through Mutu. Julio Cesar makes a last-gasp save.
21' Santana skips past Vieira and Cambiasso, and weaves his way into the area before serving Mutu. Zanetti ends the move with a hooked clearance.
18' Fiorentina get into our half and Mutu has a go from 25 yards. The Romanian's volley is way over.
17' Maxwell tries to take on two in the box after collecting a pass from Balotelli. It's one too many.
15' The flag goes up for offside as Supermario (also known as Turbomario) runs to meet Cruz's high ball over the defence.
14' Cruz gives the ball to Stankovic and the Serbian makes a dash towards the edge of the box, but Ujfalusi times his tackle well.
12' Inter close through Vieira. His brilliant flicked header from Balotelli's corner is tipped over by his compatriot Sebastien Frey.
11' Vieira wins an aerial duel with Ujfalusi just inside the area and gets into a shooting position - but the Viola captain gets back to block the France captain's effort.
10' Inter earn a free kick after a Gobbi challenge on Cruz. Balotelli's cross into the box is deflected behind for a corner by Montolivo.
10' Balotelli's corner is cleared by Gamberini.
8' At the other end Pazzini crosses to the far side. Montolivo collects and shoots from a tight angle. Maicon blocks.
7' Another attacking move from Inter. Stankovic's delightful heeled pass from Maicon's cross is intercepted by Jorgensen, who is playing at right-back tonight.
6' Gobbi intercepts Balotelli's ball wide for Stankovic.
4' Mutu misses with his header from Santana's right-wing cross.
1' Welcome to the Meazza for Inter v Fiorentina.
1' Away we go at the Meazza. Inter kick off.
1' Lineups: <br> Fiorentina (4-4-2): 1 Frey; 20 Jorgensen, 21 Ujfalusi, 5 Gamberini, 19 Gobbi; 24 Santana, 22 Kuzmanovic, 11 Liverani, 18 Montolivo; 29 Pazzini, 10 Mutu.
1' Lineups: <br> Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi, 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic; 45 Balotelli, 9 Cruz.
1' This is our last evening kick-off at home in the league this season. We're away to Torino next Sunday night, and after that all the matches of the four remaining rounds will kick off in the afternoon.
1' The Viola are on a high after their UEFA Cup victory over PSV Eindhoven on Thursday, while we need a second consecutive win to keep our four-point lead over Roma, 2-1 winners against Udinese earlier today.
Minute Text commentary
49' That's it. Inter beat Fiorentina 2-0 and remain four points clear of Roma with five matches left to play. See you on Wednesday for the first leg of our Tim Cup semi-final against Lazio.
49' Vieri goes close with a bullet header from the resuliting corner, but Julio Cesar makes another great save.
48' Julio Cesar gets down at his right-hand post to parry Adriano Mutu's curling free kick.
47' Luis Figo serves Cesar who runs in from the left and crosses. Ujfalusi concedes a corner.
45' Three minutes of overtime.
45' His second contribution is a cross from the left. This one is headed clear by Ujfalusi.
44' Luis Figo comes on for Dejan Stankovic.
44' Luis' first contribution to the match is a cross from the right. A cross that is easily saved by Frey.
39' Santana fires way off target from 25 yards - it sums up Fiorentina's reaction after falling two goals behind.
35' Maxwell slides into the six-yard box, forcing Ujfalusi to clear.
33' Fiorentina bring on Osvaldo for Liverani.
33' Free kick to Inter about 25 yards from goal. Cruz' curling shot is over the bar.
32' Inter make their third switch. Balotelli makes way for Cesar, back on the field after a spell on the sidelines through injury.
30' Crucial poked clearance by Burdisso to deny an onrushing Mutu.
27' Inter replace Marco Materazzi with Cristian Chivu.
26' The Viola bring on Pasqual for Montolivo.
25' Another header by Vieri. Another header wide.
24' Boos ring round San Siro as Vieri heads wide.
21' Balotelli is booked for foul play.
20' Jorgensen's cross-shot from the right is on target, forcing Julio Cesar to get down at his near post.
17' GOAL!!!!!!! Mario Balotelli beats the offside trap, takes Cruz' assist into the area and slides the ball beyond Frey. What a cool finish by the 17-year-old. INTER 2-0 FIORENTINA.
16' What a miss. With the goal gaping Kuzmanovic blazes over after meeting Vieri's low cross.
11' Fiorentina bring on ex-Inter forward Christian Vieri for Gampaolo Pazzini.
10' GOAL!!!!!!!! Patrick Vieira dummies Liverani, dashes to the byline and crosses for Esteban Cambiasso to slot home from close range. INTER 1-0 FIORENTINA.
10' Inter pile on the pressure and Vieira forces Frey into a punched save.
9' Another strong run by the Brazilian right-back, but this time his cross is nothing to write home about.
8' Maicon storms down the right and delivers a high cross. Gamberini heads to safety.
7' Julio Cesar catches the cross from the resulting free kick to deny Pazzini.
6' The second yellow card of the evening goes to Patrick Vieira - for a foul on Martin Jorgensen. The Frenchman will now miss next weekend's trip to Turin.
5' Balotelli gets the better of Ujfalusi in the area but has his back to goal and can't carve out a shooting opportunity.
2' Cruz dribbles three opponents during a mazy run in the area. He then pulls back to Cambiasso but the midfielder is closed down. Nevertheless, an encouraging start to the second period.
2' Zanetti volleys wide after connecting with Cruz' headed back pass from Stankovic's floated left-wing cross.
1' Prandelli's men get the second half going.
Zanetti
7.7
7.7
Materazzi
6.72
6.72
Cruz
6.84
6.84
Stankovic
6.45
6.45
Cambiasso
8.25
8.25
Burdisso
7.73
7.73
Julio Cesar
7.78
7.78
Figo
6.84
6.84
Cesar
6.64
6.64
Maicon
7.53
7.53
Maxwell
6.63
6.63
Vieira
8.52
8.52
Chivu
6.79
6.79
Balotelli
8.4
8.4
Average rating 7.35
10 shots on target 3
9 shots off target 10
13 fouls committed 14
10 corners 6
4 offsides 3
33:14 ball possession 25:04
Mancini v Prandelli

In 12 meetings with the Fiorentina coach, Inter boss Roberto Mancini has won 7, drawn 2 and lost 3.

Details:
2001/02 Serie A Fiorentina-Venezia 3-1 ----
2002/03 Serie A Lazio-Parma 0-0 1-2
2003/04 Coppa Italia Lazio-Parma 2-0 1-1
2003/04 Serie A Lazio-Parma 2-3 3-0
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina 1-0 1-2
2006/07 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina 3-1 3-2
2007/08 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina ---- 2-0

Mancini v Fiorentina

Roberto Mancini faces Fiorentina (the club he coached from March 2001 to January 2002) for the eighth time. He has won 5 times against the Viola, losing 1 and drawing 1. Mancini's teams have scored in every game against Fiorentina, for a total of 14 goals. And he is unbeaten at home to the Florence club.

Details:
2004/05 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina 3-2 1-1
2005/06 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina 1-0 1-2
2006/07 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina 3-1 3-2
2007/08 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina ---- 2-0

Prandelli v Inter

Prandelli has won 4, drawn 1 and lost 10 of his 15 meetings with the Nerazzurri. In away matches against Inter he has collected 1 win, 1 draw and 5 defeats. Prandelli's teams have conceded on each visit to the Giuseppe Meazza, letting in a total of 12 goals.

Details:
1993/94 Serie A Atalanta-Inter 2-1 2-1
1997/98 Serie A Lecce-Inter 1-5 ----
1999/00 Serie A Verona-Inter 1-2 0-3
2001/02 Serie A Venezia-Inter ---- 1-2
2002/03 Serie A Parma-Inter 1-2 1-1
2003/04 Serie A Parma-Inter 1-0 0-1
2005/06 Serie A Fiorentina-Inter 2-1 0-1
2006/07 Serie A Fiorentina-Inter 2-3 1-3
2007/08 Serie A Fiorentina-Inter 0-2 ----

Disciplinary situation


Inter
Disqualified: -
Cautioned: Cambiasso, Cordoba, Figo, Jimenez, Julio Cesar, Maicon, Vieira.

Fiorentina
Disqualified: Donadel.
Cautioned: Dainelli, Montolivo, Pazzini, Pasqual, Santana.

Seventeen players on target

Seventeen Inter players have hit the target so far this season. In alphabetical order, they are: Adriano, Balotelli, Burdisso, Cambiasso, Cesar, Cordoba, Crespo, Cruz, Figo, Ibrahimovic, Jimenez, Maicon, Maniche, Stankovic, Suazo, Vieira, Zanetti. The only other team taking part in the 2007/08 championship with the same number of different scorers is Torino.

Inter on target in 54 consecutive matches

Since their goalless draw with Reggina on the final day of the 2004/05 season, Inter have notched in 54 consecutive league games, scoring a total of 124 goals.

Mancini one away from 100th draw

To date, Roberto Mancini has collected 99 draws in his coaching career. The first was Perugia 1-1 Fiorentina in Serie A on 11 March 2001. His 99 stalemates are divided as follows: 70 in Serie A, 11 in Coppa Italia and 18 in European competitions. In 360 matches as a coach, Mancini has won 195 and lost 66.

Viola vulnerable on the road

Fiorentina have failed to concede in just one of their last 10 Serie A away matches - a 2-0 win at Empoli on 27 January 2008. In the other nine matches, the Viola have let in a total of 16 goals.

Viola looking to avoid 4th consecutive away defeat

Fiorentina have lost their last three away matches in the league (0-1 at Siena, 0-2 at Napoli and 1-3 at Udine). If they lose again against Inter, it will be the Florence club's first run of four straight top-flight defeats since the end of the 2001/02 season and their return to Serie A in 2004/05.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(51) draws(20) defeats(16)
3 September 2023 4-0 24' Thuram, 56' Martínez, 61' Calhanoglu(Rig), 76' Martínez, fixture
1 April 2023 0-1 55' Bonaventura, fixture
19 March 2022 1-1 50' Torreira, 55' Dumfries, fixture
26 September 2020 4-3 3' Kouame, 47' Martínez, 54' Martínez, 59' Castrovilli, 65' Chiesa, 89' Lukaku, 91' D'Ambrosio, fixture
22 July 2020 0-0 fixture
25 September 2018 2-1 45' Icardi(Rig), 55' Chiesa, 80' D'Ambrosio, fixture
20 August 2017 3-0 6' Icardi(Rig), 15' Icardi, 81' Perisic, fixture
28 November 2016 4-2 3' Brozovic, 9' Candreva, 19' Icardi, 37' Kalinic, 65' Ilicic, 93' Icardi, fixture
27 September 2015 1-4 4' Ilicic(Rig), 18' Kalinic, 23' Kalinic, 61' Icardi, 78' Kalinic, fixture
1 March 2015 0-1 57' Salah, fixture
26 September 2013 2-1 62' Rossi(Rig), 74' Cambiasso, 85' Jonathan fixture
30 September 2012 2-1 17' Milito(Rig), 34' Cassano, 40' Romulo fixture
10 December 2011 2-0 41' Pazzini, 49' Nagatomo fixture
8 May 2011 3-1 25' Pazzini, 28' Cambiasso, 75' Gilardino, 78' Coutinho fixture
29 November 2009 1-0 86' Milito (Rig) fixture
15 March 2009 2-0 10' Ibrahimovic, 95' Ibrahimovic fixture
13 April 2008 2-0 57' Cambiasso, 64' Balotelli fixture
21 January 2007 3-1 5' Toni, 20' Stankovic, 24' Adriano, 73' Ibrahimovic fixture
25 September 2005 1-0 7' Martins fixture
20 March 2005 3-2 56' Veron, 68' Cordoba, 27' Cambiasso, 41' Pazzini, 90' Cordoba fixture
25 November 2001 2-0 43' Kallon, 55' Vieri (R) fixture
21 April 2001 4-2 11' Vieri, 39' Vieri (R), 43' Dalmat, 56' Hakan Sukur, 62' Bressan, 79' Chiesa fixture
7 May 2000 0-4 32' Chiesa, 46' Chiesa, 70' Batistuta, 83' Bressan fixture
3 April 1999 2-0 45' Rig. Ronaldo, 83' Rig. Ronaldo fixture
21 September 1997 3-2 45' Ronaldo, 46' Serena, 48' Batistuta, 73' Moriero, 81' Djorkaeff fixture
17 November 1996 2-2 45' Oliveira Barroso, 64' Oliveira Barroso, 50' Ganz, 83' Ince
31 March 1996 1-2 10' Centofanti, 26' Cois, 32' Padalino
25 September 1994 3-1 2' Pancev, 11' Batistuta, 27' Rig. e 83' Sosa
27 September 1992 2-2 51' Batistuta, 80' Shalimov, 84' Batistuta, 87' Battistini
6 October 1991 1-1 48' Desideri, 70' Fiondella
16 December 1990 1-1 30' Fuser, 49' Rig. Matthaus
22 April 1990 2-0 23' Berti, 65' Bergomi
25 June 1989 2-0 61' Diaz, 76' Bianchi Alessandro
17 April 1988 3-0 47' Minaudo, 84' Piraccini, 87' Ciocci
26 April 1987 1-0 72' Ciocci
9 March 1986 2-0 28' e 73' Altobelli
14 April 1985 1-0 40' Rummenigge
11 December 1983 2-1 8' Passarella, 9' Bagni, 18' Serena
3 October 1982 0-0
2 May 1982 1-1 21' Aut. Ferroni, 50' Miani
8 March 1981 1-2 25' Altobelli, 44' Guerrini, 48' Bertoni
30 December 1979 0-0
13 May 1979 1-2 9' Muraro, 18' Sella, 75' Restelli
5 March 1978 2-1 14' Sella, 46' Scanziani, 75' Muraro
30 January 1977 1-1 20' Anastasi, 25' Bertarelli
30 November 1975 1-0 90' Boninsegna
13 April 1975 1-0 68' Rig. Boninsegna
7 April 1974 1-1 31' Boninsegna, 46' Saltutti
20 May 1973 1-0 37' Boninsegna
16 April 1972 1-1 30' De Sisti, 81' Bedin
17 January 1971 2-1 35' Rig. Boninsegna, 63' Rig. Boninsegna, 75' Rig. Chiarugi
29 March 1970 3-0 33' Facchetti, 82' Boninsegna, 88' Da Costa
24 November 1968 1-2 33' Chiarugi, 54' Amarildo, 57' Domenghini
24 March 1968 3-1 18' Mazzola, 32' Maraschi, 35' D'Amato, 48' Domenghini
21 May 1967 1-1 69' Burgnich (Aut), 72' Domenghini (Rig)
12 December 1965 0-0
8 May 1965 6-2 2' Corso, 17' Corso, 35' Mazzola, 44' Maschio, 48' Burgnich, 58' Mazzola, 59' Bertini, 70' Jair
8 December 1963 1-1 31' Jair, 37' Pirovano
7 April 1963 1-0 1' Facchetti
17 September 1961 4-1 13' Corso, 31' Suarez (Rig), 39' Hitchens, 40' Hitchens, 87' Picchi (Aut)
14 May 1961 2-2 32' Corso, 38' Lindskog, 67' Da Costa, 82' Hamrin
18 October 1959 2-0 40' Rancati, 76' Masiero
2 March 1959 1-3 2' Montuori, 58' Lojacono, 76' Montuori, 82' Skoglund
20 April 1958 0-1 51' Bizzarri
23 December 1956 2-1 17' Massei, 60' Lorenzi, 68' Virgili
4 March 1956 1-3 37' Lorenzi, 45' Virgili, 68' Virgili, 70' Prini
23 January 1955 3-5 9' Bernardin (Aut), 11' Bizzarri, 23' Virgili (Rig), 40' Bizzarri, 65' Brighenti, 85' Lorenzi, 87' Virgili, 90' Brighenti
11 October 1953 2-1 24' Skoglund, 70' Gren, 76' Skoglund
23 November 1952 3-0 8' Armano, 47' Armano, 53' Skoglund
31 January 1952 0-0
15 April 1951 2-0 34' Lorenzi, 73' Armano
19 February 1950 4-2 30' Amadei, 53' Nyers, 66' Wilkes, 67' Giusti (Rig), 72' Galassi, 83' Armano
6 January 1949 7-1 10' Fiorini, 13' Pandolfini, 23' Fiorini, 31' Nyers (Rig), 68' Armano, 77' Amadei, 81' Nyers, 89' Amadei
30 May 1948 4-1 11' Simatoc, 37' Achilli, 58' Achilli, 71' Lorenzi, 80' Gregorin
16 February 1947 4-0 20' Zapirain, 25' Neri, 48' Zapirain, 82' Zapirain
20 December 1942 4-0 22' Candiani, 31' Rig. Candiani, 42' Gaddoni, 46' Rebuzzi
30 November 1941 0-1 86' Suppi
27 October 1940 0-2 70' Di Benedetti, 81' Degano
3 December 1939 3-0 8' Ferraris II, 26' Candiani, 49' Demaria
3 October 1937 5-1 6' Meazza, 18' Frossi, 33' Viani II, 73' Rig. Meazza, 88' Ferrara I, 90' Frossi
7 March 1937 2-2 20' Viani II, 34' Frossi, 53' Rig. Meazza, 57' Rig. Stella
22 December 1935 0-2 16' Gringa, 43' Scagliotti
28 April 1935 1-1 37' Rig. Agosteo, 89' Mannelli
26 November 1933 2-4 7' Meazza (AM), 15' Levratto (AM), 16' Viani, 26' Viani, 29' Viani, 66' Nehadoma
12 March 1933 3-1 48' Borel I, 61' Mihalic, 81' Levratto, 83' Demaria
29 November 1931 1-1 27' Neri, 30' Meazza
3 February 1929 3-0 2 Meazza, Rivolta

MILAN - Esteban Cambiasso and Mario Balotelli scored in the space of seven second half minutes to see off Fiorentina.

The win means Inter's breathing space at the top of the table is still four points with five games of the Serie A season remaining.

Inter were always in control against the Viola and could have gone into the break with a healthy lead.

Patrick Vieira, improving with every game, carved out the first chance on 12 minutes, forcing Frey into a tipped save with a flicked header from Balotelli's corner.

Domination in midfield ensured plenty of chances and Frey produced another save from captain Zanetti's ferocious 25-yarder.

Julio Cruz got in on the act with a couple of headers but Frey, always on top form against the Nerazzurri, made more vital blocks.

Inter edged in front ten minutes after the restart, Patrick Vieira gliding past Liverani on the right and sliding into the middle for Cambiasso to slot home his eighth of the season.

Mario Balotelli, making his first start at the Meazza, killed off the game on 62 minutes. The 17-year-old sensation took Cruz' through ball into the area after beating the offside trap and coolly slotted beyond Frey for his second goal in as many games.

The Viola offered little in the way of a reaction, with Mutu and Vieri forcing Julio Cesar into two fine saves in added time.

Inter 2-0 Fiorentina (HT: 0-0)

Scorers: Cambiasso 55, Balotelli 62.

Inter (4-4-2): 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 16 Burdisso, 23 Materazzi (26 Chivu 72), 6 Maxwell; 4 Zanetti, 14 Vieira, 19 Cambiasso, 5 Stankovic (7 Figo 89); 45 Balotelli (31 Cesar 77), 9 Cruz.
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 18 Crespo, 28 Maniche, 29 Suazo.
Coach: Roberto Mancini.

Fiorentina (4-4-2): 1 Frey; 20 Jorgensen, 21 Ujfalusi, 5 Gamberini, 19 Gobbi; 24 Santana, 22 Kuzmanovic, 11 Liverani (9 Osvaldo 78), 18 Montolivo (23 Pasqual 71); 29 Pazzini (32 Vieri 56), 10 Mutu.
Subs not used: 25 Avramov, 3 Dainelli, 6 Potenza, 54 Da Costa.
Coach: Cesare Prandelli.

Referee: Massimiliano Saccani (Mantua).

Booked: Gamberini 45, Vieira 51, Balotelli 66.

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Frey
Maicon 13 Santana
Burdisso 16 Ujfalusi
Materazzi 23 Gamberini
Maxwell 6 Gobbi
Zanetti 4 Kuzmanovic
Vieira 14 Liverani
Cambiasso 19 Montolivo
Stankovic 5 Jorgensen
Balotelli 45 Pazzini
Cruz 9 Mutu

substitutes

Toldo 1 Avramov
Figo 7 Dainelli
Crespo 18 Potenza
Chivu 26 Osvaldo
Maniche 28 Pasqual
Suazo 29 Vieri
Cesar 31 Da Costa