Inter vs Fiorentina | Tactical Analysis | Serie A 2024/25

Inzaghi’s Inter (2nd) is four points behind Napoli, while Palladino’s Fiorentina (6th) fights for a Champions League spot, trailing Juventus by one point and Lazio by three. Just four days ago, Fiorentina defeated Inter 3-0 in the resumed match that was stopped due to Bove’s heart attack earlier this season. Now, with key absences: Inter missing wing-backs Dumfries and Dimarco, and Fiorentina without Bove, Comuzzo, Adli and new signing Pablo Marí, both teams face a crucial battle in Serie A‘s 24th round: Inter vs Fiorentina

Starting XI’s Inter vs Fiorentina

Inter’s Starting XI (3-5-2)

• Goalkeeper: Sommer
• Defenders: Bastoni – Acerbi – Pavard
• Wing-backs: Carlos Augusto – Darmian
• Midfielders: Mhikitaryan – Çalhanoglu – Barella
• Strikers: Martinez – Thuram

Fiorentina’s Starting XI (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: De Gea
• Defenders: Parisi – Ranieri – Pongracic – Dodo
• Central Midfielders: Richardson – Mandragora
• Attacking midfielder: Beltran
• Wingers: Gosens – Moreno
• Striker: Kean

First Half Analysis: Inter vs Fiorentina

Who Has the Dominant Part of the Game?

The first half of this edition of Inter vs Fiorentina saw Inter firmly in control, dictating possession and setting the tempo of the match. They had an overwhelming 74% possession, constantly pushing forward and keeping Fiorentina deep on their own half. From the opening of the game, Inter’s intent was clear: they pressed high, forcing their defensive line up to the halfway mark and suffocating Fiorentina’s ability to build attacks.

Despite Inter’s dominance in ball control, the expected goals (xG) were surprisingly close—1.07 for Inter vs 0.92 for Fiorentina (due to the penalty). This statistic highlights a key aspect of the first half: although Inter controlled the game posessionaly, Fiorentina still managed to create a couple of dangerous chances, mainly through fast counterattacks and set pieces.

A closer look at the average positions of both teams shows just how deep Fiorentina was defending. Their formation effectively turned into a 5-4-1, with only Moise Kean staying up top, hoping to capitalize on long passes. Meanwhile Inter’s defensive line was positioned much higher, showing their aggressive approach in trying to win the ball back quickly.

Tactical Part of the Game

Inter’s offensive approach was based on quick ball movement from flank to flank, attempting to stretch Fiorentina’s compact defensive shape. Their 109 successful passes in the final third compared to just 5 for Fiorentina tell the story of how much of the game was spent in and around the visitors’ penalty area.

Much of Inter’s attacking play came from the left side, where Bastoni (LCB) and Augusto (LWB) played key roles in progressing the ball forward. With Dimarco and Dumfries missing, Inter relied heavily on this duo to provide attacking width and deliver balls into the box. Bastoni pushed much higher up than Acerbi and Pavard, creating overloads and offering an additional passing option to stretch Fiorentina’s defense.

Fiorentina showed little interest in playing out from the back. Every time they had a goal kick, De Gea opted for a long ball, bypassing midfield entirely. When they did manage to break forward, they relied on quick transitional play, but Inter’s aggressive pressing often forced them back before they could generate real danger.

The game’s two biggest moments both came from set pieces. Inter’s controversial opening goal came from a corner that should not have been given, as Bastoni had already let the ball go out before crossing it back in. However, the referee didn’t see it and Pongračić’s unfortunate own goal put Inter ahead. Shortly before halftime, Fiorentina found their equalizer through a VAR-awarded penalty after a corner kick led to Darmian’s handball in the box. Mandragora converted it with a perfect strike into the top left corner, ensuring the game went into the break level.

Second-Half Adjustments: Inter vs Fiorentina

Inter responded immediately in the second half, making a key substitution: Zielinski replaced Calhanoglu to inject more tempo into the midfield. This allowed Inter to switch play from left to right faster, preventing Fiorentina from shifting their block in time. Fiorentina, however, looked to increase their pressing at phases, trying to disrupt Inter’s build-up from the back.

Despite the pressure, Inter found their way through. In the 52nd minute, a cross from Carlos Augusto found Arnautovic, who powered a header into the net despite Fiorentina’s packed defensive line. 2-1 Inter! This goal forced Fiorentina to push even higher up the pitch, leaving themselves more vulnerable to counters.

Inzaghi had to make further changes, bringing on Frattesi and Zalewski for fresh energy, with Augusto shifting to left center-back. Meanwhile, Fiorentina substituted Parisi and Richardson for Cataldi and Folorunsho, aiming to gain more physicality and attacking intent. Fagioli and Zaniolo later joined the game, looking to add creativity and passing ability in midfield.

Fiorentina Struggled to Break Down Inter’s Defense

Fiorentina continued struggling to break through Inter’s midfield overload, especially with Bastoni consistently pushing into the left channel to create a six-man midfield line. As the game entered the final minutes, Inter looked for counterattacks, and shots from Augusto (87’) and Barella (88’) tested De Gea, but the Fiorentina goalkeeper stood strong.

In the end, Inter’s quality in midfield and efficiency in the final third made the difference. They had 8 shots on target compared to Fiorentina’s 2 and an expected goals (xG) of 2.15 vs 1.03, showing their dominance in goal-scoring opportunities. Fiorentina’s push wasn’t enough to break through Inter’s compact structure, and Inzaghi’s side secured a well-deserved 2-1 victory.

Conclusion: Inter vs Fiorentina

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