Fiorentina 5 - 4 Inter
Team
— Apr 22nd 2017Nine-goal thriller at the Franchi: Inter fall behind, turn it around before the break, go 5-2 down then almost snatch a late equaliser. Icardi nets a hat-trick
FLORENCE - Inter left the Stadio Franchi empty-handed after a topsy-turvy match finished 5-4 to Fiorentina.
The hosts drew first blood midway through the first half when Vecino turned in Milic's cross, but the Nerazzurri levelled within five minutes, Persic firing into an open net after being set up by Candreva.
Five minutes later the tables were turned when Icardi ran onto Joao Mario's through ball and slotted past Tatarusanu to make it 2-1.
Bernardeschi had the chance to equalise shortly after the interval when the ref awarded a penalty but Handanovic was in spot-kick saving mood.
However, the Viola did get themselves back in the game soon after the hour mark thanks to an Astori header from a corner. They then took the lead a minute later when Vecino struck his second of the game.
Babacar extended Fiorentina's advantage to 5-2 with two goals on the break before Icardi bagged two more of his own in the 88th and 91st minutes - the first via the post and the second from a corner - as Inter attempted an unlikely comeback.
The Nerazzurri piled forward, with Handanovic going up for corners, and very nearly pulled it off in the fourth minute of added time but Brozovic's shot was cleared off the line by Astori.
Fiorentina 5-4 Inter (HT 1-2)Scorers: Vecino 23, 64, Perisic 29, Icardi 34, 88, 90+1, Astori 63, Babacar 70, 78.
Fiorentina: 12 Tatarusanu; 6 Sanchez, 40 Tomovic (18 Salcedo 54), 13 Astori; 31 Milic, 5 Badelj, 20 Borja Valero, 8 Vecino; 16 Tello (Cristoforo 81), 10 Bernardeschi (72 Ilicic 57); 30 Babacar.Subs not used: 57 Sportiello, 97 Dragowski, 4 De Maio, 15 Olivera, 21 Saponara, 24 Hagi, 25 Chiesa, 27 Maistro, 32 Mlakar.Coach: Paulo Sousa.
Inter: 1 Handanovic; 33 D'Ambrosio, 17 Medel, 25 Miranda, 55 Nagatomo (23 Eder 73); 5 Gagliardini, 7 Kondogbia (77 Brozovic 76); 87 Candreva, 6 Joao Mario, 44 Perisic; 9 Icardi.Subs not used: 30 Carrizo, 2 Andreolli, 8 Palacio, 11 Biabiany, 19 Banega, 20 Sainsbury, 21 Santon, 24 Murillo, 96 Barbosa.Coach: Stefano Pioli.
Booked: Astori 75, Sanchez 77, Handanovic 90+4.Added time: 0+4 minutes.
Referee: Valeri.Assistants: Meli, Crispo.Fourth official: Costanzo.Additional assistants: Banti, Giacomelli.