Another beating, this time without an alibi. Inter sinks in Florence (3-0) and with it, perhaps, the certainties of Walter Mazzarri, increasingly at the center of all criticism, go to the bottom. It was supposed to be the evening of the turning point, the one in which the nerazzurri would have redeemed the fool remedied a week ago against Cagliari, instead it was a show by Fiorentina. The Viola goals were spectacular, especially the first two which arrived in less than 20 minutes. But Inter, beyond the ballistic prowess of Babacar and Cuadrado, was a non-paying spectator, so much so as to "force" the people of the Franchi to remake it in 2012 ("the ball is the white one" the Florentine fans sang, mocking the opponents).
“We have problems and they have come out – Mazzarri admitted after the match. – I tried to give a jolt but we're in trouble, luckily the break is coming now”. A bit poor as an explanation: Inter have collected 8 points in 6 days, conceded 7 goals in the last two games, moreover playing rather badly. Justifying everything with physical condition seems a bit simplistic, especially as Fiorentina were also fresh from the Europa League, moreover with many more injured people. A game worthy of the name is missing and the team also seems to have lost faith in the coach's ideas. A turning point is urgently needed, otherwise there is the risk of a rather bitter season. Fiorentina, on the other hand, enjoyed the exploits of Babacar (terrifying right-footed shot under the cross in the 7th minute), Cuadrado (round shot in the corner in the 19th minute) and Tomovic (slalom among the beautiful Nerazzurri figurines in the 76th minute) and look so to the future with more optimism.
The same can also be said for Napoli, Inter's next opponent after the break. The Azzurri suffered a lot but in the end they got the better of Turin (2-1). However, it was not an easy evening so much so that, after just 14 minutes, Benitez's men were already down. Thanks to Quagliarella's jewel: acrobatic control, almost illegal twisting and Rafael's shot at the far post. However, the Azzurri had the merit of not being discouraged, despite the climate at the San Paolo being hostile. The first half saw Gilet make sensational saves, Insigne hit the post without fail and Higuain made a mistake with a practically empty net. But then, in the second half, the grenade fort fell.
First Insigne's header (55'), then Callejon's dirty deflection (72') and so the omelette turned around. In the final controversy for a couple of episodes in the blue area but Massa, luckily for Benitez, let it go. “We deserved the victory – thought the Spanish coach. – It's the third in a row, it must mean something. Our squad is no less strong than last year but we must all stick together."
