Inter proved to be major title contenders this season yet again as the Nerazzurri thrashed Fiorentina in a 4-0 victory at the Stadio San Siro, earning their third consecutive win of the 2023/24 campaign and climbing to the top of the standings heading into the international break.
Marcus Thuram Opens Goal-Scoring Account for Inter
Inter spurred into life within the opening minutes of the block-buster match-up, moving the ball with great fluidity and swift one-two combinations that broke Fiorentina’s defensive shape with ease.
A diagonal ball across the pitch from Nicolò Barella to find wing-back Federico Dimarco out-wide enabled the Italian international to run on the break along the flank. The 25 year-old launched a cross that was way too over-hit, resulting in the ball soaring above strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram.
However, Dimarco redeemed himself as he won the ball within La Viola’s half and delivered a fine centre towards Marcus Thuram. The Frenchman lunged forward and headed home a sublime header past shot-stopper Oliver Christensen, handing Inzaghi’s the lead in 23rd minute of play and tallying his first Serie A goal of the term.
The Frenchman had several occasions to notch a brace as Denzel Dumfries and Alessandro Bastoni managed to square it off to the 26 year-old into the six-yard box. The former Borussia Monchengladbach striker failed to hit the mark on both opportunities.
Despite a long-range effort from Giacomo Bonaventura which went above the bar, Italiano’s side were completely shut-out by Inter as the back-three remained rock-solid, letting no major goal-scoring threats develop in their sights throughout the first half.
Thuram and Martinez Combine to Double Nerazzurri Lead
Throughout the second half, Inter were causing havoc as they swiftly dictated the pace of the game through their high-press and relentless work-rate on the counter.
Several chances emerged as Dumfries fired the onto the frame of the post and a headed chance from Lautaro Martinez in courtesy of a brilliant delivery from central defender Alessandro Bastoni was miraculously stopped by Oliver Christensen.
However, Inzaghi’s side managed to break through La Viola as an exquisite counter attacking play created by Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan enabled Thuram to slip an impressive pass to Martinez into the space. The Nerazzurri skipper remained cool and collective as he tucked the ball across the goal-line, doubling the Milanese club’s advantage.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu and Lautaro Run Riot at San Siro
A poor challenge from goalkeeper Christensen on Thuram into the box resulted in the keeper clipping the French international and handing Inter a penalty shot in the 58th minute.
Turkish international Hakan Çalhanoğlu stepped up to the spot and dispatched the ball with ease to increase the gap between both sides to three goals.
With slightly over 15 minutes remaining, Mkhitaryan took on the role of the architect yet again as he picked out Colombian wing-back Juan Cuadrado along the right-hand flank. The former Juventus player transmitted a perfectly weighted low-driven cross in the path of Martinez.
The Argentine lightly chipped the ball with a one-time touch above the head of Christensen into the top-shelf of the goal, making if four goals for Inter and extending is sublime run of form to five goals and three games, making himself the Serie A’s leading goal-scorer thus far.
With Inter seizing a 4-0 victory at home, Inzaghi’s side have not conceded a single goal within their first three matches of the campaign.
The Beneamata managed to keep up with the pace of cross-city rivals Milan, who also have a perfect start of nine points out of nine available, putting themselves in a great position ahead of the Milan Derby following the international break.