Lisandro Martinez doubles up as Inter score late to beat Fiorentina in seven-goal thriller
With just one win from nine Serie A games prior to tonight, Fiorentina could ill afford a slow start. As it transpired, that’s exactly what they got, with Barella latching onto Martinez’s reverse ball and firing Inter ahead inside two minutes.
Things went from bad to worse for the hosts, as having been the provider for the opener, Martinez finished with aplomb from the edge of the area to double Inter’s advantage inside 15 minutes and leave Fiorentina with a mountain to climb.
That mountain was made slightly smaller when a moment of Federico Dimarco madness saw him fell Giacomo Bonaventura in the area and after a brief VAR check, a penalty was given.
Arthur Cabral stepped forward from 12 yards to confidently dispatch the spot kick and halve the deficit at the break.
That goal breathed new life into hosts and Fiorentina looked to have rattled the Nerazzurri after the break.
Despite starting the game as a substitute, Jonathan Ikone was introduced in the first half and he finally had something to show for his endeavours after the break as he twisted and turned in the area, before curling a sumptuous effort in off the underside of the bar.
Martinez was at the heart of everything good about Inter, and the diminutive Argentine was key to the Nerazzurri retaking the lead.
Edin Dzeko slipped him through on goal and despite being wiped out by the on-rushing Pietro Terracciano, he dusted himself off to fire the subsequent spot-kick home to put Inter back into the lead.
Yet again though, Simone Inzaghi’s side weren’t able to hold onto the lead, with Jovic popping up with a late equaliser.
The drama wasn't over there though, as Mkhitaryan stepped forward to have the final say on proceedings in the 95th minute to snatch all three points for Inter and leave Fiorentina crestfallen despite giving a solid account of themselves.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)