The Florence team was a major obstacle for Inter, who could have scored the second goal half an hour into the game, when Frenchman Marcus Thuram launched a brilliant counterattack, but was unable to finish past Pietro Terraciano.
Yan Sommer, Swiss goalkeeper for Interistas, saved his team in the 34th minute by avoiding the goal with a first-time shot from Giacomo Bonaventura. In the second half, he saved Nico González’s penalty.
“This period is intense and decisive, this game against Fiorentina was important for us. My players really wanted to play a great match,” said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi.
“We don’t have much reason to blame ourselves, we put a great team like Inter in difficulties,” said hosts coach Vincenzo Italiano.
Thanks to their 17th victory, the Nerazzurri regained the lead, after Juventus’ draw (1-1) on Saturday with Empoli. Inter have 54 points, one more than the ‘Bianconeri’, with one game in hand due to having played last weekend in the Italian Super Cup, which they won with a 1-0 victory over Napoli, in the Monday.
The players led by Inzaghi can extend their advantage next weekend in Milan, against Juventus, in a decisive ‘Italian derby’ in the race for the title.