INTER STATS | Perisic's positive record, Barella's numbers and...

Inter picked up a precious and deserved win in Florence, building on their excellent victory over Benevento and recording their fourth consecutive clean sheet in the league in the process (the last time they achieved four successive shutouts was in August 2020).

FLORENCE, HISTORICALLY A TOUGH PLACE TO PLAY

Yesterday’s 2-0 win in Florence doesn’t just continue Inter’s good form in the league, it also put an end to a disappointing record at the Franchi in recent times.

Previously, the Nerazzurri hadn’t kept a clean sheet in Florence since the 2011/12 season, when they played out a goalless draw. Meanwhile, the last time that Inter had defeated the Viola in both league matches was in 2013/14.

PERISIC'S POSITIVE RECORD AGAINST FIORENTINA

After finding the net against Parma and Real Madrid, Ivan Perisic’s third goal of the season came at a stadium where the Croat has already enjoyed success in the past. Indeed, yesterday’s finish was Ivan’s third goal at the Franchi after he’d previously scored there on 22 April 2017 and 24 February 2019. With four of his 39 Serie goals having come against the Viola, Fiorentina are Perisic’s second favourite victim (he’s only scored more against Chievo, seven). Away from San Siro, the Franchi is the stadium where Perisic has bagged the most goals. Prior to yesterday’s match, the Croat hadn’t scored on the road for Inter since April 2019, when he converted from the penalty spot against Frosinone.

Perisic has now scored 43 goals in 191 appearances for Inter. The Croat has been plying his trade in one of Europe’s Top 5 leagues since 2011/12 following his move to Borussia Dortmund from Club Brugge. Since that season, Ivan has netted 70 times, with Dortmund, Wolfsburg, Inter and Bayern Munich benefitting from his goals. In the Top 5 European leagues, only five other midfielders have reached this milestone during the same period: Thauvin 85, Raúl García 84, Coutinho 71, Robben 71 and Payet 70.

BARELLA'S NUMBERS

His goal to open the scoring was a wonderful strike and the first time he’s found the net from outside the box since his brilliant effort against Verona last season. Yesterday’s finish was the ninth time that Inter have scored from a corner this campaign, at least two more than any other side.

Nicolò bagged his third goal of the 2020/21 season against Fiorentina. During the current campaign, he’s been involved in eight goals, scoring three and providing five assists. This marks a personal record for the Sardinian midfielder in a single Serie A campaign.

Barella has featured in all 21 of Inter’s league matches this season and has now scored seven goals in 71 appearances for the Nerazzurri. He’s the Italian player that has been deployed the most during the Conte era. Nicolò has eleven goals and 14 assists to his name in Serie A: along with Federico Chiesa, he’s one of two midfielders born after 1/1/1997 to have contributed to at least 25 goals in the Italian top flight.  

THE UNSTOPPABLE HAKIMI

In the second half, Hakimi reached incredible speeds down the right flank (33.5 km/h). And once again, he was involved in a Nerazzurri goal: the Moroccan has now registered four assists in the league (in addition to six goals). Hakimi is the only defender in the Top 5 European leagues to have contributed to at least ten goals this season.

MILESTONES FOR LUKAKU AND SKRINIAR

Romelu Lukaku started his 50th Serie A match against Fiorentina.

Milan Skriniar, meanwhile, recorded his 50th clean sheet with Inter in all competitions.