Fiorentina welcomed Inter Milan to the Stadio Artemio Franchi for Sunday night's Serie A clash.
It was a key game in terms of both side's European qualification chances, with Inter having the chance to move into third place, overtaking Lazio and AC Milan.
Andrea Stramaccioni was hoping his side could build on the 3-1 victory over Chievo in their last Serie A outing, though they had to without striker Diego Milito after he was ruled out for the season with a knee injury.
Fiorentina, on the other hand, had picked up just one win in their last six, prior to the Inter tie. However, Vicenzo Montella's had the chance to go within a point of the Nerazzurri in fifth with all three points.
Fiorentina started the better of the two sides and took full advantage of their dominance when Adem Ljajic nodded home inside the area on 13 minutes.
Inter could get nowhere near Vicenzo Montella's side and struggled to handle Jovetic, who doubled their lead after 33 minutes with an absolute wonder strike from 20 yards.
The home side continued to dominate in the second half and Jovetic made it 3-0 on 55 minutes after Juan Cuadrado's back heel found the striker in the area.
Inter's players knew the game was over from there and Fiorentina made it four through Ljajic, who curled one in from the edge of the area to confirm the points.
Cassano grabbed a late consolation for the away side with a fantastic strike from distance, but it was all too late as Fiorentina ran out dominant winners.
Find out how all the action unfolded on Sports Mole's live commentary below.
Good evening all! Welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's Serie A clash between Fiorentina and Inter Milan.
This tie could have a huge say in who's going to get a European place at the end of the season, with both sides sitting in 5th and 6th respectively.
The Nerazzurri can move into third place with a win tonight, so you'd expect Andrea Stramaccioni to have his men fired up.
Vicenzo Montella's men can give their European chances a real boost should they take all three points at home tonight. If they move within a point of Inter, they'll certainly fancy their chances as we head into the final stages of the season.
Let's have a look at the tonight's teams...
Fiorentina: Viviano; Savic, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Tomovic, Pasqual; Borja Valero, Pizarro, Aquilani; Cuadrado, Jovetic, Ljajic
Inter: Handanovic; Zanetti, Ranocchia, Juan Jesus, Nagatomo; Kuzmanovic, Kovacic, Cambiasso; Guarin; Cassano, Palacio
Inter have gone with Antonio Cassano and Rodrigo Palacio up front following Diego Milito's season-ending injury in midweek. The big news is that highly-rated midfielder Mateo Kovacic makes his Serie A debut after his first start for the club in Europa League on Thursday.
As was expected, Stevan Jovetic leads the line for Fiorentina - he'll be supported on the wings by Juan Cuadrado and Adem Ljajic. The home side have named a strong midfield as they welcome Alberto Aquilani back from his suspension to partner Borja Valero and David Pizarro.
It'll be an interesting midfield battle tonight. Much is expected of the youngster Kovacic, though it's a real test for him tonight against an experienced midfield three.
However, Kovacic will be supported by Zdravko Kuzmanovic and Esteban Cambiasso - not bad at all!
There's plenty of pressure of Palacio tonight, too - Inter have been devastated by the injury to Milito and need him to step up. There's doubt about his consistency, though, so he'll be hoping Cassano and Guarin can help him create and score up front.
Jovetic finding his form is vital to Fiorentina's hopes tonight - there's no doubting the 23-year-old's talent, but he's not performed since the turn of the year.
Fiorentina overall haven't had the best of times recently - four losses in the last six - so the whole side will be looking for a big result tonight to help them rediscover their early season form.
It's a tough one to call tonight - you'd probably go with Inter on current form, but Fiorentina are still dangerous. Pair that with Inter's far from solid back line and it could equal goals for the home side.
Not long until we kick off at the Stadio Artemio Franchi - the teams are on their way out.
Fiorentina get us underway...
It looks as though Fiorentina have gone with three at the back as they knock the ball around in the midfield. There were rumours that they had gone with a back four, but they were obviously false!
CHANCE! Pizarro plays Jovetic in with a great ball over the top. The striker takes it down well, but his hard and low finish was well saved by Handanovic!
That was a decent chance for Fiorentina - you have to wonder if an in-form Jovetic is putting that one away? It was from a difficult angle, though, to be fair to him.
Great football from Fiorentina again as the ball's chipped in to Valero in the area - the midfielder was offside, though!
Inter aren't at the races so far! The home side are simply picking them apart when they get into the final third. There's some wonderful movement from Jovetic that's worrying Inter.
Not enough pressing from Inter in these opening exchanges, Fiorentina are at walking pace when they bring the ball out of their defence. Stramaccioni won't be happy with that!
Fiorentina, on the other hand, are hunting Inter down when they're out of possession. Therein lies the difference so far!
GOAL! Fiorentina 1-0 Inter (Ljajic)
It was coming! A swinging cross from the left-hand side is flicked on by Jovetic, who has Ljajix following up behind him - the Serb nods it past Handanovic to give Fiorentina a deserved lead.
Good move from Inter on the free kick! They catch Fiorentina off guard and play Cassano in, but the forward's cross is cleared away.
Inter are looking very stretched each time the home side come forward. They can't seem to handle the movement of Jovetic and the late runs from Aquilani and Valero.
CHANCE! Jovetic simply runs into the box and is given the ball on the edge of the 18 yard box. Handanovic gets a strong hand to the ball to keep the striker's shot out.
This is far too easy for Fiorentina. Inter cannot deal with the movement, interplay and even balls into the box from deep! Stramaccioni may have to change it soon or his side could be out of the game before the half-time whistle.
Pizarro has just burst past Guarin - I think that highlights the way this game is going perfectly.
Fiorentina are routinely getting in one-on-one situations on the wing and, with players of Cuadrado's pace, it doesn't look good for Inter.
The only worry for Fiorentina is that the score is still on 1-0 - they need to take full advantage of their pressure as Inter will surely improve as the game goes on.
CHANCE! A long, hopeful ball forward drops to Kuzmanovic on the edge of the area - the midfielder just slices his effort wide!
Ljajic turns the Inter defenders inside out from the left wing, he cuts inside and strikes from the edge of the area, but Handanovic gathers with ease.
GOAL! Fiorentina 2-0 Inter (Jovetic)
WHAT A GOAL! He's been due a goal and what a way to get back on track! A wonderful show of balance and skill helps Jovetic work the space, then he curls in straight into the top corner from 20 yards out. Handanovic had no chance!
Jovetic has looked great tonight - he's deserved that goal! I wouldn't be surprised if there's more before the first half is done.
CHANCE! Jovetic's cross from the right wing finds Valero at the back post, though his volley is well saved. Immediately after that strike, Aquilani has an effort from the edge of the area, but Handanovic keeps Inter in the game - just!
Stramaccioni has Handanovic to thank at half time - without his goalkeeper, Fiorentina would be completely out of sight by now.
CHANCE! More fantastic interplay creates another opening for Valero, who strikes from distance - Handanovic beats it away.
Fiorentina are at complete ease, here. Savic has just played a neat one-two around Inter's forwards to get the ball out of their defence. Confident stuff!
HALF-TIME: Fiorentina 2-0 Inter
Some wonderful football from Montella's side in that first 45 minutes and they fully deserve their 2-0 lead. In fact, it could - and possibly should - be more!
Inter simply haven't even got into the game; every attack breaks down, no pressing and seemingly outnumbered in every area. Not good enough for a side that are challenging for the Champions League places.
Stramaccioni has to take some of the blame for that performance. His tactics were all wrong straight from kickoff and nothing changed - even when Fiorentina took the lead.
The away side look like they have less players at times. Much too narrow and Fiorentina are taking full advantage by switching the play regularly to create one-on-ones out wide.
It's not just out wide, though! Aquilani, Valero and Pizarro have been imperious and dominated in the middle of the park. You have to feel for young Kovacic - he's had absolutely no chance against those three.
Montella has set up perfectly tonight - it's down to Stramaccioni to make a game of it now. Can he change his system to get his side back into it? He needs to do something, that's for sure.
Montella will just want more of the same from his side. The movement and interplay is too much for Inter's frankly slow and cumbersome defensive setup.
The players are back out on the pitch - not long until we're back in action.
SUBSTITUTION! Ricky Alvarez comes on for Kovacic - the game simply passed the 18-year-old by in that first half.
Inter get the second half underway...
It looks like Stramaccioni has gone more attacking in this half with three at the back. He's trying to push Fiorentina's wing backs into their own half - let's see how it works out.
The new system does mean that Alvarez will be tasked with getting back and helping out on the right-hand side. Not his usual position, shall we say...
CHANCE! Cuadrado runs at Nagatomo and gets a shot away - it's just deflected wide! Close!
It looks as though Inter are still dropping into a four-man defence when they don't have the ball, which means it's still shapeless and fairly easy for Fiorentina to create space. Strange tactics from Stramaccioni.
GOAL! Fiorentina 3-0 Inter (Jovetic)
Well, that could be it for Inter! The orginal attack breaks down, but Inter let it bounce around on the edge of the area. It falls to Cuadrado, who back heels to Jovetic and the striker fires past the goalkeeper from inside the area. Too easy!
That was a lovely flick from Cuadrado into Jovetic - great finish, too - but what on earth were Inter doing? They just let it bounce off knees rather than getting hold of the ball and clearing. This could get embarrassing for Stramaccioni's side.
SUBSTITUTION! Alvaro Pereira replaces Guarin.
There's a scuffle, here! Juan Jesus looked as though he threw an elbow at Jovetic, but he's only got a yellow. Fiorentina aren't happy about that!
Looking at that challenge again - it was definitely an elbow from Juan Jesus. He didn't quite catch Jovetic in the face, but he's lucky to stay on.
A clever pass from Cassano releases Nagatomo, though the wing back is much too wide when he takes his shot. No chance from that angle.
GOAL! Fiorentina 4-0 Inter (Ljajic)
Far too easy again! Zanetti gives the ball away to Ljajic, who feeds Valero out wide. The Spaniard walks towards the box, knocks it to Ljajic on the edge and the forward curls it into the right corner. It's over.
There's no fight from Inter, here - it genuinely looks as though they've given up hope at the moment.
SUBSTITUTION! Momo Sissoko comes on for his Fiorentina debut, replacing Pizarro - he's run the game tonight.
Ljajic is showboating out on the left wing now - full of tricks and ghosting past Alvarez with complete ease. Fiorentina have really enjoyed themselves tonight.
SUBSTITUTION! A standing ovation for Jovetic, who's replaced by El Hamdaoui. A stunning performance from the Serbia international tonight - he's answered all his critics.
Inter have actually come into the game more in the last few minutes, though that has more to do with Fiorentina knowing the game is won.
SUBSTITUTION! Schelotto comes on for Palacio.
The home side are just trying to see this game out now, keeping the ball very comfortably in the midfield.
Ranocchia makes the run forward and takes the ball right off Cassano's toe as the forward tries to bring the ball down. No communication, there.
SUBSTITUTION! Cuadrado comes off and is replaced by Llama.
CHANCE! El Hamdaoui is played in on goal, but Handanovic is out well and closes down the strikers attempted chip.
GOAL! Fiorentina 4-1 Inter (Cassano)
A wonderful strike from distance from Cassano! He's cut across it perfectly as it lands right in the bottom left corner. It's a shame that it's only a consolation as that goal deserved better.
Two minutes have been added on by the referee.
FULL-TIME: Fiorentina 2-1 Inter
A truly brilliant display from Fiorentina, who fully deserved their 4-1 win over Inter.
Montella's tactics were spot on, while Stramaccioni had no answers at all with his team's setup.
Fiorentina fans will be hoping that impressive result kick starts their season after a poor run of form and, with Jovetic back firing, you have to think that they'll get back on track now!
Inter, though!? Well, that's not what you want just before a big derby! AC Milan will really fancy their chances if they put in a performance like that at the San Siro next week! That's seven games without a win away from home. Stramaccioni will be under pressure to deliver soon.
This game was all about Fiorentina - more performances like that and Europe is a real possibility next season.
Check out Jack Prescott's match report of Fiorentina's comprehensive victory here.
That's us done for tonight - thanks for joining Sports Mole's live commentary of tonight's game.
Written by
Sam Hughes
Sam Hughes
