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Played
April 22, 2012 4:00 PM IST
Stadio Artemio Franchi — Firenze
Referee: P. Valeri
Attendance: 22000
April 22, 2012 4:00 PM IST
Stadio Artemio Franchi — Firenze
Referee: P. Valeri
Attendance: 22000
Top of the Match
Julio César
Inter
Inter
Julio César
Inter
Inter
Flop of the Match
Diego Forlan Corazo
Inter
Inter
Mauro Zárate
Inter
Inter
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Fiorentina 0-0 Inter: Julio Cesar saves Ljajic penalty as disappointing contest ends scoreless
Andrea Stramaccioni's side failed to take advantage of their impressive record against the Viola, as a stalemate does neither side any favours for the rest of the season
By Livio Caferoglu
Inter's hopes of reaching next season's Champions League took a blow after they could only register a disappointing 0-0 draw with Serie A rivals Fiorentina at the Artemio Franchi on Sunday.
It could have been all so different for the Viola though had Adem Ljajic scored from the penalty spot in the second half, but a rather tepid affair was witnessed in Tuscany. The result does mean though that the Nerazzurri remain unbeaten under the stewardship of Andrea Stramaccioni, while the Viola move a point closer to survival.
The early signs suggested that an entertaining clash was on the cards. Inter lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with Diego Forlan, Ricardo Alvarez and Mauro Zarate all showing an intent to support lone striker Diego Milito. For the hosts, Riccardo Montolivo was a surprise omission as Delio Rossi employed three at the back.
The first efforts on target were more speculative than substantial, but nevertheless noteworthy. Forlan tried to surprise Artur Boruc from distance with a curling drive, and Andrea Lazzarri attempted to catch Julio Cesar off his line from some way out, but both goalkeepers were equal.
It all seemed ominous for Fiorentina as Inter looked to dominate possession from the outset, but they remained patient and eventually broke back. Alessio Cerci returned to the side at the expense of the injured Stevan Jovetic, and his movement posed a problem for the Milanese side.
The former Roma forward swept past a white shirt on more than one occasion, but his finishing left a lot to be desired as he wasted several promising openings, and both teams trudged into the dressing rooms for half time without troubling the scoreboard.
The second half's early momets were noteworthy for the introduction of Wesley Sneijder, but even he could not find the key to unlock a stubborn Fiorentina defence. However, the players' endeavour could not be questioned, as the ball continued to ping about from end to end.
Arguably, though, it was Fiorentina who were the more threatening of the two sides. Ljajic combined well with star performer Michele Camporese after the young defender had surged into the box, but he failed to truly test Julio Cesar from close range.
But with 20 minutes remaining, the Viola were awarded a penalty. Lazzarri dashed past Julio Cesar, but the Brazilian goalkeeper brought him down illegally, presenting the hosts with an invaluable opportunity to inflict serious damage on Inter.
Incredibly, Ljajic's spot kick was limp and Julio Cesar barely had to dive to his right to parry the ball out for a corner, much to the chagrin of Delio Rossi, who responded by promptly bringing the forward off.
Fiorentina carried on with their original game plan, and moments later Matija Nastasic blew a wonderful chance to make amends for his compatriot's penalty miss. A corner dropped to the centre-back in the box, but he looped his effort high over the bar.
Ranocchia was introduced to the match with 10 minutes left following an ankle knock contracted by the solid Cristian Chivu, and within three minutes of coming on, he almost conceded a penalty, although referee Paolo Valeri was not fooled by Cerci's antics.
Zarate, Milito and Sneijder tried their best to conjure up a winner in the little time left, but their strikes were not threatening enough, while there were late calls for an Inter penalty from Esteban Cambiasso's shot. Nonetheless, they remain seventh, five points behind third place, as Fiorentina move to 15th.
It could have been all so different for the Viola though had Adem Ljajic scored from the penalty spot in the second half, but a rather tepid affair was witnessed in Tuscany. The result does mean though that the Nerazzurri remain unbeaten under the stewardship of Andrea Stramaccioni, while the Viola move a point closer to survival.
The early signs suggested that an entertaining clash was on the cards. Inter lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system with Diego Forlan, Ricardo Alvarez and Mauro Zarate all showing an intent to support lone striker Diego Milito. For the hosts, Riccardo Montolivo was a surprise omission as Delio Rossi employed three at the back.
The first efforts on target were more speculative than substantial, but nevertheless noteworthy. Forlan tried to surprise Artur Boruc from distance with a curling drive, and Andrea Lazzarri attempted to catch Julio Cesar off his line from some way out, but both goalkeepers were equal.
It all seemed ominous for Fiorentina as Inter looked to dominate possession from the outset, but they remained patient and eventually broke back. Alessio Cerci returned to the side at the expense of the injured Stevan Jovetic, and his movement posed a problem for the Milanese side.
The former Roma forward swept past a white shirt on more than one occasion, but his finishing left a lot to be desired as he wasted several promising openings, and both teams trudged into the dressing rooms for half time without troubling the scoreboard.
The second half's early momets were noteworthy for the introduction of Wesley Sneijder, but even he could not find the key to unlock a stubborn Fiorentina defence. However, the players' endeavour could not be questioned, as the ball continued to ping about from end to end.
Arguably, though, it was Fiorentina who were the more threatening of the two sides. Ljajic combined well with star performer Michele Camporese after the young defender had surged into the box, but he failed to truly test Julio Cesar from close range.
But with 20 minutes remaining, the Viola were awarded a penalty. Lazzarri dashed past Julio Cesar, but the Brazilian goalkeeper brought him down illegally, presenting the hosts with an invaluable opportunity to inflict serious damage on Inter.
Incredibly, Ljajic's spot kick was limp and Julio Cesar barely had to dive to his right to parry the ball out for a corner, much to the chagrin of Delio Rossi, who responded by promptly bringing the forward off.
Fiorentina carried on with their original game plan, and moments later Matija Nastasic blew a wonderful chance to make amends for his compatriot's penalty miss. A corner dropped to the centre-back in the box, but he looped his effort high over the bar.
Ranocchia was introduced to the match with 10 minutes left following an ankle knock contracted by the solid Cristian Chivu, and within three minutes of coming on, he almost conceded a penalty, although referee Paolo Valeri was not fooled by Cerci's antics.
Zarate, Milito and Sneijder tried their best to conjure up a winner in the little time left, but their strikes were not threatening enough, while there were late calls for an Inter penalty from Esteban Cambiasso's shot. Nonetheless, they remain seventh, five points behind third place, as Fiorentina move to 15th.
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Live
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scheduled
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Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Edinson Cavani Striker Napoli |
29 | 7 |
|
Antonio Di Natale Striker Udinese |
23 | 4 |
|
Pablo Daniel Osvaldo Striker Roma |
16 | 2 |
|
Stephan El Shaarawy Midfielder Milan |
16 | 0 |
|
Germán Denis Striker Atalanta |
15 | 5 |