Inter v Fiorentina: Lucky 13

By: Martha | January 21st, 2007

Adriano can't stop scoring. And Inter roll on.

Man alive. The more I watch this team play, the more willing I am to believe that they’re not going to lose in league this season. Granted, this match came at a bad time for Fiorentina (Mutu and Ujfalusi suspended), but Inter’s play was far from flawless — Maicon and Viera gave the ball away a lot, for example — and they still never looking like losing, even when they went behind early. And Fiorentina are a skilled, ambitious team, one of the few you might think could legitimately threaten Inter’s run. But, well, no. Inter are simply awesome right now, and truly look unbeatable. They have about 20 world-class players, all of whom can step in for one another with no visible effect on the overall quality of play, and they’re frighteningly comfortable playing together. I’ve never been a huge Inter fan, but it’s impossible not to enjoy watching this team, even when Figo doesn’t play. Hell, I’m even enjoying Materazzi — that’s how convincing they are right now.

Other items of note:

•Toni took one of the most hilarious dives I’ve ever seen late in the first half. After making contact with Materazzi while going for a headball (Toni was in front, so Materazzi sort of jumped into his back), the striker leaped up into the air, twirling as if his leg had been shot out from under him. After landing, he writhed in agony, gripping his knee. Of course, he was hold onto the wrong knee. To their credit, the officials laughed at him.

•Adriano scored. Again. And set up Stankovic’s goal. He’s so been holding out on us.

•Sebastian Frey made a sick double save before Inter’s third goal. He flew to his right to get a hand on a bullet header from Ibra, and then managed to sit up and slap away the striker’s second attempt off the rebound. And the fact that the linesman decided the latter shot was across the line before the save does nothing to make the goalkeeping less impressive. Plus, it’s hard to tell from the replays whether the decision was the right one — I have a sneaking suspicion Frey got screwed.

•A Toldo sighting! Apparently Julio Cesar “waked up with the dolorante back” and was unable to suit up, so Toldo was allowed to actually play a first team game.

•Oncer they were down 3-1, Fiorentina’s fans decided the would help their team by throwing things at Dejan Stankovic. Because Stankovic is an absolute beast, the projectiles had little effect. And the team still lost. Nice try, though, guys. Very classy.