Final score

15 March 2009 20:30

Inter
50' (2nd half) Ibrahimovic
10' Ibrahimovic
Fiorentina
Referee: Daniele Orsato / Linesmen: Rosi, Grilli / Fourth official: Mazzoleni
Watch highlights
Minute Text commentary
45' End of part one. Inter lead Fiorentina 1-0 thanks to Ibrahimovic's 11th-minute goal.
43' Samuel blocks and clears Mutu's low pass into the area. Jorgensen latches on to the loose ball and cannons his shot narrowly over the bar.
42' Samuel is yellow-carded for a foul from behind on Gilardino. The Argentine will automatically miss next weekend's match against Reggina
40' Gilardino's flicked effort from Vargas' pass is on target, forcing Julio Cesar into a tipped save.
39' Vargas' free kick hits the wall. Kuzmanovic's shot from the loose ball is over the bar.
38' Free kick to Fiorentina in a central position 30 metres from goal after a foul by Muntari on Felipe.
38' Julio Cesar comes out of his box, beating Gilardino to a through ball and winning applause from the home fans.
34' Inter come surging forward but Muntari slips before he can shoot after receiving from Balotelli.
33' Orsato books Balotelli for a foul on Fiorentina captain Jorgensen.
30' A chance for Fiorentina on the half hour as Julio Cesar saves Felipe's header from Vargas' right-wing cross.
28' Ibra blasts high and wide from distance after collecting a return pass from Balotelli.
27' Stankovic goes close after a classy passing move from the Nerazzurri, firing inches wide from a central position just outside the area.
25' Ibra one-twos with Stankovic but the Viola defence intercepts and Prandelli's men come forward on the counter-attack.
24' Gamberini blocks Balotelli's low cross from the right.
22' Samuel's header from Balotelli's corner takes a deflection, forcing a difficult save from Frey at the back post.
21' Brilliant flicked pass into the box by Muntari, but Balotelli is beaten to the ball by Per Kroldrup. Corner.
19' Chivu makes a headed clearance from Kuzmanovic's right-wing cross as Fiorentina attack back down the right.
18' Gamberini wins an aerial duel with Samuel after Balotelli swings in a cross from the right corner flag.
16' Samuel blocks Kuzmanovic's right-wing cross and heads behind for a corner.
15' Balotelli heads clear Vargas' cross from the resulting corner kick.
14' More brilliant goalkeeping from Julio Cesar, who moves quickly to block Gilardino's shot after the Italian forward collected Felipe's through ball.
13' Martin Jorgensen overhits his long pass into the box for Gilardino. Julio Cesar gathers.
11' GOAL!!!! Another free kick to Inter on the left. Mario Balotelli gets more height on it this time and Ibrahimovic heads the loose ball into an open net after Frey blocks with his fists. INTER 1-0 FIORENTINA.
10' Fiorentina break and Mutu goes through on goal but his shot is blocked by the legs of the ever ready Julio Cesar.
10' Kroldrup beats Ibra to Mario's inswinging free kick.
9' Free kick to us on tleft after a Comotto foul on Balotelli.
7' Gilardino collects Montolivo's pass down the left. The flag goes up for offside.
5' Adriano Mutu passes down the right to Comotto and the Viola full-back overhits his cross for Gilardino.
4' Good work by Davide Santon down the left. The 18-year-old full-back goes on a 50-yard run and lays off to Muntari, who is dispossessed.
3' Montolivo floats a pass over the Inter defence for Mutu, who is flagged for offside.
2' Fiorentina work the ball into the box but there's no way past Dejan Stankovic, who sweeps to safety.
2' Free kick to Fiorentina on the after Comotto goes down under a challenge from Sulley Muntari.
2' Mario Balotelli is flagged for offside as he runs on to Ibrahimovic's through ball.
1' Welcome to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan's San Siro district for the last of this weekend's Serie A Week 28 fixtures.
1' Away we go in San Siro as the Viola, kitted out in red tonight, kick off against the Nerazzurri, who are wearing the iconic Centenary shirt again.
1' Fiorentina: 1 Frey; 21 Comotto, 5 Gamberini, 2 Kroldrup, 6 Vargas; 20 Jorgensen; 22 Kuzmanovic, 88 Felipe Melo, 18 Montolivo; 11 Gilardino, 10 Mutu.<br> Subs: 13 Storari, 4 Donadel, 7 Semioli, 8 Jovetic, 14 Zauri, 23 Pasqual, 32 Bonazzoli.
1' Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu, 39 Santon; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Muntari; 5 Stankovic; 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli.<br> Subs: 1 Toldo, 6 Maxwell, 7 Figo, 10 Adriano, 18 Crespo, 24 Rivas, 33 Mancini.
1' Viola boss Prandelli has opted for 4-1-3-2 for his 18th competitive match against the Nerazzurri, fielding Jorgensen in front of the defence and Felipe Melo behind front men Mutu and Gilardino, with Montolivo and Kuzmanovic wide on the wings.
1' Captain Javier Zanetti will be making his 634th appearance for Inter tonight, equalling the number of outings in black and blue made by club legend Giacinto Facchetti. Esteban Cambiasso, meanwhile, will be making his 200th.
1' Mourinho has made two changes to the side that lost to Manchester United in the UCL in midweek. Cristian Chivu returns from injury in defence, while Muntari, a substitute at Old Trafford, returns in midfield.
Minute Text commentary
51' End of part two. After a dramatic last few minutes, Daniele Orsato blows for full time. Inter beat Fiorentina 2-0 and remain seven points clear at the top.
49' GOAL!!!!!! With the crowd chanting José Mourinho la la la, Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores a second, his brilliant free kick going in off the underside of the crossbar. INTER 2-0 FIORENTINA.
49' Ibrahimovic's fiercely struck free kick is too hot to handle for Frey, but the French keeper manages to block.
48' José Mourinho is sent off for protesting after a foul.
47' Mancini fires well wide from just inside the Viola box.
45' Five minutes of added time.
45' What a goal that would have been! Davide Santon tears down the left, combining with both Figo and Ibrahimovic before seeing his shot blocked by Frey.
44' Back in our half, Rivas beats Gilardino to Comotto's cross.
44' Figo floats a ball into the Fiorentina box but Ibra fails to control.
43' Fiorentina hit back and Jovetic has shot blocked by Rivas.
43' Figo turns in the Viola box and shoots straight at Frey.
42' Jovetic swings in a free kick from the left. After a bit of pinball in the box, Inter clear.
40' And José makes his last change: Nelson Rivas for Dejan Stankovic.
40' The Viola make their final switch: Bonazzoli for Montolivo.
39' Maicon crosses into the six-yard box. Stankovic, with an outstretched leg, just fails to make contact.
38' Applause for Mario Balotelli as he makes way for Mancini.
37' Donadel's first contribution to the game is a sweet strike from 20 yards. Julio Cesar takes the sting out of it and Samuel makes a sliding clearance.
36' Cesare Prandelli replaces Martin Jorgensen with Marco Donadel.
35' Kroldrup makes vital interception, denying Stankovic a clear chance from Balotelli's through ball.
34' Gamberini blocks Ibrahimovic's low cross from the left.
32' Cambiasso makes a clearance from a cross to deny Gilardino a chance from close range.
31' Fiorentina bring on Stevan Jovetic for Zdravko Kuzmanovic.
26' Julio Cesar is booked for protesting as Felipe wins a corner for Fiorentina with Balotelli on the ground.
25' Ibra receives from Balotelli and goes down in the box after a challenge by Kroldrup. No penalty given by Orsato.
22' Mutu's floated cross-shot takes a slight deflection off Santon.
20' Luckily for Inter, no red shirt manages to get on the end of Comotto's dangerous right-wing cross.
18' Davide Santon is booked for a challenge on Comotto.
17' Fiorentina break and go close to an equaliser through Mutu, who slides wide of the far post from a tight angle.
17' Maicon's driven cross from the right is blocked and cleared by Gamberini.
15' Muntari blocks Comotto's cross from the right and pumps upfield to Ibrahimovic, who is intercepted.
12' Maicon weaves his way into the box and sends a low diagonal shot wide of the target.
11' Comotto fouls Balotelli on the left. Nothing comes of the resulting free kick as Ibrahimovic is forced to backtrack by two Fiorentina defenders.
10' Balotelli slips as he collects a pass from Santon and shoots on goal. Frey saves.
8' Mutu's header from the resulting corner, taken by Vargas, is easily saved by Julio Cesar.
7' Montolivo's splendid strike from distance forces a just as splendid tipped save from Julio Cesar.
6' Sulley Muntari is booked for a foul on Kuzmanovic.
6' The flag goes up for offside as Gilardino slips in front of goal after a right-wing cross from Comotto.
4' Felipe is booked for a foul on Balotelli.
2' Kuzmanovic sends in a cross from the right wing. Felipe gets in at the back post and heads wide.
1' Inter kick off the second half.
1' Mourinho has replaced Cristian Chivu (right thigh strain) with Luis Figo and Esteban Cambiasso has slotted in at centre-back.
Zanetti
6.97
6.97
Stankovic
6.97
6.97
Cambiasso
7.88
7.88
Julio Cesar
8.86
8.86
Samuel
7.31
7.31
Figo
6.01
6.01
Maicon
6.93
6.93
Ibrahimovic
8.84
8.84
Rivas
5.42
5.42
Chivu
6.47
6.47
Balotelli
6.66
6.66
Mancini
5.74
5.74
Muntari
5.43
5.43
Santon
7.46
7.46
Average rating 6.92
8 shots on target 6
4 shots off target 3
20 fouls committed 20
3 corners 8
5 offsides 6
26:00 ball possession 23:17
Mourinho v Fiorentina / Prandelli

Last October's 0-0 Serie A draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi in Florence is José Mourinho's only previous encounter with Fiorentina and coach Cesare Prandelli.

Details:
2008/09 Serie A Inter-Fiorentina ---- 0-0

Prandelli v Inter

Viola boss Cesare Prandelli has won 4, drawn 2 and lost 11 of his 17 encounters with the Nerazzurri. In 8 away matches against Inter, he has won 1, drawn 1 and lost 6, conceding on each occasion for a total of 14 goals let in.

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 0-2
2008/09 Serie A Fiorentina-Inter 0-0 ----

Disciplinary info


Inter Cautioned: Ibrahimovic, Samuel, Zanetti.
Disqualified: -

Fiorentina
Cautioned: Bonazzoli, Donadel, Gamberini, Jovetic, Montolivo, Mutu.
Disqualified: Dainelli.

Inter on target in 18 consecutive league games

Inter last failed to score in a Serie A fixture on 29 October 2008 when Mourinho's team were held 0-0 by... Sunday evening's opponents Fiorentina in Florence. Inter have since played 18 top-flight games, scoring a total of 36 goals.

Inter's home invincibility, scoring form

Inter have lost just one of their last 35 league fixtures at home (Inter 1-2 Juventus on 22 March 2008), winning 27 and drawing 7 of the other 34. The Nerazzurri have failed to score in only one of their last 70 league games at home (Inter 0-0 Genoa on 26 October 2008), scoring 151 goals in the other 69 matches.

Sixteen Nerazzurri on target this term

Sixteen different Inter players have scored Serie A goals this season -more than any other team. In alphabetical order, they are: Adriano, Balotelli, Burdisso, Cambiasso, Cordoba, Crespo, Cruz, Figo, Ibrahimovic, Maicon, Maxwell, Muntari, Obinna, Samuel, Stankovic and Vieira.

Ibra's decisiveness

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the most decisive player in the 2008/09 Serie A championship after 27 rounds of matches - the Swedish forward's goals have earned Inter 20 of their 63 points.

Two players on milestones

Esteban Cambiasso will make his 200th appearance for the Nerazzurri if he is selected to play against Fiorentina, while Maxwell is set for his 100th outing in black and blue. The Argentine midfielder, who made his Inter debut in the 1-1 UCL qualifying round draw away to Basel on 11 August 2004, has played 142 times in Serie A, 14 in Coppa Italia, 4 in the Italian Super Cup and 39 in European competitions. The Brazilian, meanwhile, has played for Inter 74 times in the league, 11 in the Coppa Italia, once in the Italian Super Cup and 13 in Europe. His debut came in a 1-0 away win over Roma on 20 September 2006.

One Viola clean sheet in last 12 outings

Fiorentina have kept only one clean sheet in their last twelve competitive fixtures (Lazio 0-1 Fiorentina in Serie A on 8 February 2009), conceding 15 goals in the other 11 games.

DA IMPLEMENTARE
wins(51) draws(20) defeats(16)

MILAN - Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored at the start of the first half and at the end of a dramatic finale as Inter brushed aside Fiorentina to keep intact their seven-point lead at the top of the Serie A table.

The Swedish forward headed in the opening goal in the 11th minute, bringing the house down with a superb free kick in time added on to make it 20 goals in all competitions this season.

Cristian Chivu returned from injury and Sulley Muntari was back alongside milestone men Zanetti (joining Facchetti on 634 appearances for Inter) and Cambiasso (200th in black and blue) in midfield as Mourinho made two changes to the side that lost to Manchester United in midweek.

Fiorentina coach Prandelli, without a win in his last seven visits to Inter, named a 4-1-3-2 formation with captain Jorgensen in a sweeper role and Felipe behind strike partners Mutu and Gilardino.

The match kicked off after a spectacular show of solidarity from the Curva Nord and Inter got an all-important early goal after Mutu had a shot blocked by Julio Cesar. Mario Balotelli swung in a free kick from the left and Frey blocked with his fists but failed to clear. Ibrahimovic was first to the loose ball and headed in his 16th league goal of the season.

Dejan Stankovic sent a low shot inches wide of Frey's left-hand post as the Nerazzurri went close again before the visitors created three good chances for an equaliser before half time.

Julio Cesar made a comfortable save from Felipe's header on the half hour, making a trickier tipped parry from Gilardino's flicked shot in the 40th. On the stroke of half time Jorgensen fired inches over after Samuel's clearance from Mutu's cross.

Mourinho made a forced change at half time, bringing on Luis Figo for the injured Chivu and fielding Cambiasso alongside Samuel in defence.

Fiorentina began the second period as they ended the first, but so did Julio Cesar who made another splendid tipped save from Montolivo's long-range effort.

Inter survived a further scare when Mutu slid his diagonal shot wide with the goal gaping, and Julio Cesar had more work to do when he took the sting out of substitute Donadel's powerful 25-yard strike. 

In the final minute eighteen-year-old sensation Davide Santon gave the crowd a sign of things to come with a surging run down the left and a shot - saved by Frey - after a defence-splitting one-two with Ibrahimovic.

Mourinho was dismissed for protests in time added on, and with the fans chanting José Mourinho la la la in support of the Portuguese, Ibrahimovic saved his best for last, sending an unstoppable free kick in off the underside of the crossbar.

Inter 2-0 Fiorentina (HT: 1-0)

Scorer: Ibrahimovic 11, 90+4.

Inter: 12 Julio Cesar; 13 Maicon, 25 Samuel, 26 Chivu (7 Figo 46), 39 Santon; 4 Zanetti, 19 Cambiasso, 20 Muntari; 5 Stankovic (24 Rivas 85); 8 Ibrahimovic, 45 Balotelli (33 Mancini 83).
Subs not used: 1 Toldo, 6 Maxwell, 10 Adriano, 18 Crespo.
Coach: José Mourinho.

Fiorentina: 1 Frey; 21 Comotto, 5 Gamberini, 2 Kroldrup, 6 Vargas; 20 Jorgensen (4 Donadel 81); 22 Kuzmanovic (8 Jovetic 76), 88 Felipe Melo, 18 Montolivo (32 Bonazzoli 80); 11 Gilardino, 10 Mutu.
Subs not used: 13 Storari, 7 Semioli,14 Zauri, 23 Pasqual.
Coach: Cesare Prandelli.

Referee: Daniele Orsato (Schio).

Booked: Balotelli 33, Samuel 42, Felipe 49, Muntari 51, Santon 63, Julio Cesar 71.
Sent off: Mourinho 90+3

starting lineups

Julio Cesar 12 Frey
Maicon 13 Comotto
Samuel 25 Gamberini
Chivu 26 Kroldrup
Santon 39 Vargas
Zanetti 4 Jorgensen
Cambiasso 19 Kuzmanovic
Muntari 20 Felipe Melo
Stankovic 5 Montolivo
Ibrahimovic 8 Gilardino
Balotelli 45 Mutu

substitutes

Toldo 1 Storari
Maxwell 6 Donadel
Figo 7 Semioli
Adriano 10 Jovetic
Crespo 18 Zauri
Rivas 24 Pasqual
Mancini 33 Bonazzoli