Once a classic, now Inter's routine – Calhanoglu pushed Pioli to brink of dismissal

Inter received a slap last weekend at the “Maradona,” but showed the right reaction tonight against Fiorentina and got back on track. Cristian Chivu made three changes, the best of which was the return of Petar Sucic to the starting eleven.

La Viola arrived at the “Meazza” in low spirits, even though they narrowly avoided defeat against Bologna on Sunday. The crisis is screaming from both their play and results. Tonight, they dreamed for an hour of pulling off another escape, but couldn’t hold on.

Not even the “hundred-handed” David de Gea could save them when Hakan Calhanoglu unleashed a thunderbolt to open the doors to Inter’s victory. The job was soon completed by the young Croatian Petar Sucic, who strolled through the visitors’ defense to seal a 2–0 win.

This was likely Stefano Pioli’s last match on the Fiorentina bench — four points from nine rounds is a record that leaves no way back. The only question is whether Viola will wait for the November international break for practical reasons or make an immediate cut. Fiorentina and Pioli share a past, but no present or future.

It took Inter a good half hour to create their first big chance when Bastoni surged forward, but De Gea made the save. From then on, the experienced Spaniard began a one-man show against Inter’s defenders, who were acting more like strikers.

De Gea was the central figure throughout, denying Dimarco, Dumfries, and Bisseck, but he could do nothing about Calhanoglu’s rocket in the 66th minute. When the Turk sets up a shot and hits the target, even the world’s best goalkeepers — and De Gea was one tonight — have little chance. The goal is HERE!

Fiorentina’s game plan then fell apart completely. The match was decided shortly after by young Croatian Petar Sucic, who returned to the starting lineup tonight and fully justified the coach’s trust. With a solo run through the heart of Viola’s defense, he practically walked the ball into the net and scored his first goal in his 20th appearance since joining the Nerazzurri.

The visitors’ agony was deepened when defender Mattia Viti conceded a red card and a penalty, which Calhanoglu converted for the final 3–0 scoreline.

SERIE A MATCHDAY 9

Tuesday

Lecce - Napoli 0-1 (0-0)

/Anguissa 69/

Atalanta - Milan 1-1 (1-1)

/Lookman 35 - Ricci 4/

Wednesday

Como - Verona 2-1 (1-1)

/Douvikas 9, Posch 62 - Serdar 25/

Juventus - Udinese 3-1 (1-1)

/Vlahovic 5 pen, Gatti 67, Yildiz 90+6 pen - Zaniolo 45+1/

Roma - Parma 2-1 (0-0)

/Hermoso 63, Dovbyk 81 - Circati 86/

Bologna - Torino 0-0

Genoa - Cremonese 0-2 (0-1)

/Bonazzolli 4, 49/

Inter - Fiorentina 3-0 (0-0)

/Calhanoglu 66, 88 pen, Sucic 71/

Thursday

20.30: (2.60) Cagliari (3.25) Sassuolo (3.00)

22.45: (3.70) Pisa (3.45) Lazio (2.15)

***odds are subject to change***