A second-half strike from Mohamed Salah has handed Fiorentina a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in their Serie A clash at the San Siro.
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The visitors had the first opening of the game when Samir Handanovic denied Khouma Babacar as he attempted to turn Alessandro Diamanti's cross towards the bottom corner.
Inter hit back at Fiorentina as Fredy Guarin raided down the right and managed to evade the challenge of Manuel Pasqual to fire a low ball across the face of goal, but no player in a black shirt was there to turn the ball home.
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Vincenzo Montella's men had a great opportunity to take the lead when Nenad Tomovic managed to run to the byline and then lift a dangerous cross into the box, but Jasmin Kurtic could only guide his strike on the half-volley over the bar.
The home side went closer in the 35th minute when Guarin won the ball just outside the box and carved out enough space of a shot, only for the strike to clatter off the post and bounce clear.
In the second half, the visitors began well as Josip Ilicic and substitute Salah exchanged passes on the edge of the box, allowing the forward to drill an effort at goal, but his strike was claimed with ease by Handanovic.
Fiorentina took the lead in the 56th minute when Handanovic pushed a cross from Pasqual into the penalty area, which was gathered by Salah, who showed composure to control the ball and find the corner.
The home side upped the ante to get back into the game as Guarin found the run of Xherdan Shaqiri in the box, who in turn laid the ball into the path of Mauro Icardi, but he could only fire his effort over the bar from close range.
The visitors almost made Icardi pay for his missed chance as Kurtic raided forward down the left and managed to drill a shot toward the near post, but Handanovic was able to make a solid stop.
Inter had a glorious chance to level the scores when Rodrigo Palacio exploited the space created when Tomovic was forced off with a head injury, but with Icardi free on the left, the forward chose to go alone and fired his effort straight at Neto.
Montella's men were forced to end the game with nine men when Stefan Savic became the second player to pick up an injury with all their substitutes used.
Inter almost took advantage as Palacio directed Shaqiri's cross towards the top corner, but Neto somehow managed to tip the ball over the bar to earn the three points for his team.
Simon Sinclair
