Inter struggling ahead of Champions League quarterfinals
Inter Milan's Romelu Lukaku, left, and Fiorentina's Igor fight for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Fiorentina, at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Credit: AP/Antonio Calanni
ROME — With a Champions League quarterfinal match against Benfica coming up, Inter Milan is in far-from-perfect form.
The Nerazzurri were beaten 1-0 at home by Fiorentina on Saturday for their third straight loss in Serie A.
Giacomo Bonaventura headed in a rebound early in the second half after Inter center forward Romelu Lukaku inexplicably missed a wide open close-range chance.
It was Fiorentina’s eighth straight win across all competitions, and the Viola extended their unbeaten run to 10 games.
Fiorentina, which faces Lech Poznan in the Conference League quarterfinals, had gone 11 straight matches without beating Inter, with its previous victory over the Nerazzurri coming nearly six years ago.
Inter missed out on a chance to move into second and remained third, two points behind Lazio. Fiorentina moved up to eighth.
ATALANTA EYES CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Fiorentina's Giacomo Bonaventura celebrates after he scored his side's first goal during a Serie A soccer match between Inter Milan and Fiorentina, at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Saturday, April 1, 2023. Credit: AP/Massimo Paolone
Atalanta beat last-place Cremonese 3-1 to move up to fifth, just below the Champions League places, and level on points with fourth-place AC Milan.
Marten De Roon, Jeremie Boga and Ademola Lookman scored for Atalanta, while Daniel Ciofani converted a momentary equalizer for Cremonese.
Defending champion Milan visits runaway leader Napoli on Sunday.
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