Inter coach Andrea Stramaccioni was without Wesley Sneijder. So started Philippe Coutinho in behind Antonio Cassano and Diego Milito. And stuck with the (3-5-2) formation they used midweek against Chievo. Also opting not to start Alvaro Pereira and Freddy Guarin. Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella fielded the same eleven that held champions Juventus to a goal less draw in Florence on Tuesday.
Inter started brightly monopolising the left side with Yuto Nagatomo feeding Antonio Cassano. At the other end Juan Cuadrado skipped inside Juan Jesus and Walter Samuel, and poked a through ball to Stevan Jovetic who failed to connect.
Phillipe Coutinho then served notice to Fiorentina with a deflected effort from distance that could've gone anywhere. From the resulting corner Esteban Cambiasso was left unmarked on the edge of the box and caught a half volley just wide of Emiliano Viviano's goal.
Coutinho then set about a dazzling run through the Viola. The Brazilian made it into the penalty area where he saw his effort clip the top of the crossbar. The ball then fell to Javier Zanetti who struck it first time into the flailing arm of Fiorentina defender Gonzalo Rodriguez. Penalty to the hoasts! and a yellow card issued to Gonzalo for protestations.
Milito calmly stepped up and buried it into the bottom right hand corner, with Viviano guessing correctly. Fiorentina clearly rattled by the goal should have gone two behind when Nagatomo's long ball found Cassano. Who in term dinked a beautiful ball to Milito who's wonderful first touch set him up to sting Viviano's crossbar from all of six yards. A lovely move from the Nerazzurri.
Fiorentina seeked a way back into the game with Adem Ljajic stinging the palms of Samir Handanovic from a costless kick. By this point la Viola had Inter pinned back with slick passing and movement around the area. But nearly paid the price again when Borja Valero lost possession in the centre of the park to the live wire Coutinho, who found Cassano with room to pick out strike partner Milito who could only fire straight at Viviano.
Despite that being Inter's first attack in almost fifteen minutes. They soon did double their lead in the thirty fourth minute. Andrea Rannochia split the Fiorentina midfield with a low pass finding the run of Cambiasso, who's first touch see's off the oncoming Facundo Roncaglia who vacated Cassano to leave the Italian acres of space to slot home past Viviano for 2-0. Montella seeing his so far reliable defence torn apart tonight.
For all of Fiorentina's possession came a reward when the excellent David Pizarro crossed in a ball for Romulo to run in and head past Handanovic for 2-1. Neither Inter centre half picked up the Brazilians run, his first goal in Serie A. Inter replied with Cassano again finding Milito with too much space to curl his effort just wide. Half time whistle blew on an entertaining and open game at the San Siro.
Montella decided to replace Ljajic at the interval with Matias Fernandes who would tuck in behind Jovetic. The visitors started the second half on the front foot. Manuel Pasqual crossing for Jovetic to head wide. Then Borja Valero maneuvering into space on the left delivered a dangerous ball in that Inter were lucky to deal with.
It took until the 60th minute for Inter to get out of their half. Nagatomo sprinted up field only to be fouled by Gonzalo round by the corner flag. A silly second offence for the Argentine who was sent off. The complexity of the game changed as Inter found themselves with more time on the ball against the ten men.
Montella decided to make changes as Fiorentina were unwilling to commit as many bodies forward as before. Luca Toni made his introduction in place of Cuadrado. Romulo moved to right back. Stramaccioni entered Ricky Alvarez for Courtinho who never really featured in the second half. And within two minutes of coming on Alvarez effortlessly glided into space to tee up Cassano who was denied by the impressive Viviano.
A very weary looking Borja Valero was next to make way for Guido Migliaccio. As Cambiasso departed for Gaby Mudingayi. Inter seemingly running down the clock against an out of steam ten man Viola. Still Fiorentina tried to pass it into the feet of Stevan Jovetic who was isolated all game. The Montenegrin unable to find room to unlock Stramaccioni's men.
Milito was replaced by Guarin for the final minutes, as Fiorentina tried to pass their way through the Nerazzurri once again. The second half not living up to the drama of the first, thanks largely to Gonzalo's dismissal. Fiorentina won a corner deep into stoppages, with Viviano joining in the fun in the Inter penalty area. But it came to nothing and the hoasts held on for a first win at home this season. And lift the 'San siro curse' to claim all three points..
Internazionale 2 - 1 Fiorentina
Milito (pen 17') Romulo 40'
Cssano 34' Gonzalo sent off 61'