Player Ratings: Fiorentina 1-1 Inter – Strikers send clear signals to Italy and Gattuso

In a closely contested match at the Stadio Franchi, Fiorentina and Inter played out a 1-1 draw, with Nicolò Fagioli and Francesco Pio Esposito emerging as the highest-rated players. The fixture also served as a clear indicator of form for several strikers, potentially influencing future national team selections, particularly for Italy and coach Gattuso.

Fiorentina 1-1 Inter – Player Performances Unpacked

Fiorentina Player Ratings

Fiorentina: De Gea 6.5; Dodo 6.5, Pongracic 6, Ranieri 5, Gosens 5.5; Fagioli 7 (90′ Fabbian N/A); Parisi 6 (68′ Harrison 6), Brescianini 6, Ndour 6.5, Gudmundsson 6 (90′ Comuzzo N/A); Kean 5 (85′ Piccoli N/A).

Best Fiorentina Player: Nicolò Fagioli (7)

Fagioli consistently showcased impressive vision and composure with the ball. His passing accuracy, which surpassed 90% according to statistical analysis, provided a calming presence in the midfield, instilling confidence in the Tuscan side. Despite some teammates struggling to match his precision and tempo, Fagioli's influence on the game was undeniable, making him a pivotal figure.

Lowest Fiorentina Ratings: Moise Kean and Ranieri (5)

Moise Kean, anticipated to be a key attacking threat for Fiorentina, endured a challenging night. He struggled significantly to find an effective position on the field, spending much of the second half isolated on the left flank and failing to convert the Viola's best scoring opportunity in the first half. Ranieri, on the other hand, was repeatedly exposed defensively, particularly on his side of the pitch, allowing Inter's most dangerous attacks to originate from his flank, notably involving Pio Esposito.

Fiorentina Coach: Vanoli (6.5)

Vanoli's squad faced a shocking start, conceding a goal within the first minute and nearly falling further behind. However, the Tuscans displayed commendable resilience, gradually fighting back and creating several scoring chances before the break, especially through Kean. A robust performance in the second half, capped by Ndour's deserved equalizer, underscored Vanoli's tactical adjustments and the team's fighting spirit.

Inter Player Ratings

Inter: Sommer 5.5; Bisseck 6.5, Akanji 6, Carlos Augusto 5.5 (46′ Acerbi 5.5); Dumfries 6 (85′ Luis Henrique N/A), Barella 6 (83′ Sucic), Calhanoglu 6 (68′ Frattesi 5.5), Zielinski 6, Dimarco 5.5; Thuram 5 (68′ Bonny 5.5), Esposito 7.

Best Inter Player: Francesco Pio Esposito (7)

The 20-year-old Francesco Pio Esposito made an electrifying impact, opening the scoring less than a minute into the match and maintaining an impressive level of performance throughout. He expertly used his physical strength to hold possession and displayed sharp decision-making in his touches, consistently propelling the Nerazzurri's offensive plays. His commanding display sends a strong, positive message to the Italy national team, firmly establishing his credentials for a potential starting role in upcoming play-offs, especially when compared to Kean's performance.

Lowest Inter Rating: Marcus Thuram (5)

Marcus Thuram's goal drought continued, extending his barren run across all competitions to eight consecutive games. The stark contrast between his static movement in the final third and Pio Esposito's dynamic presence was evident. Thuram posed little threat to the opposition's goal, culminating in another disappointing evening for the French forward.

Inter Coach: Kolarov (5.5) (Chivu, serving a ban, was absent)

Under Kolarov's guidance, Inter secured another draw in a performance that, aside from a strong opening 20 minutes, lacked consistency and sharpness. The Nerazzurri struggled to maintain control, particularly in midfield after the inevitable substitution of Hakan Calhanoglu (who was recovering from injury). This result has allowed AC Milan to close the gap, now sitting just six points behind Inter.