Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored two goals Sunday to give Inter Milan a 2-0 win over Fiorentina in Serie A, a confidence boost for the Italian leaders only days after being eliminated from the Champions League.
Ibrahimovic brought his goal tally in the league to 17. He first scored in the 11th minute and then added a second in injury time _ the second coming after Inter coach Jose Mourinho was sent off for arguing.
«The team had to keep on playing as it has been playing,» Ibrahimovic said. «We are first in the championship, but unfortunately we are out of the Champions League, but we still have the league and the Italian Cup.
Fiorentina had a chance to take the lead in the 10th minute. Alberto Gilardino led a break from the penalty area and squared the ball to Adrian Mutu, but the Romania’s first time shot was smothered by Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar.
Inter took the lead a minute later when Mario Balotelli floated a free kick into Fiorentina’s area. Sebastien Frey tried to punch the ball clear but it rebounded off Ibrahimovic and the Sweden striker was the fastest to react, heading the ball into the open goal.
Ibrahimovic scored his second goal with a free kick.
Dejan Stankovic went close to adding another in the 27th. Following a strong run toward the area, a quick return pass with Ibrahimovic gave him the space for a low shot, but it went just wide.
Fiorentina more chances, too. In the 53rd, Riccardo Montolivio’s long range shot forced Cesar to push the ball away for a corner, and 10 minutes later Mutu shot wide when Gilardino was unmarked in front of goal.
Cesar had to produce another save in the 82nd, blocking a low shot by Marco Donadel, but central defender Walter Samuel cleared before Mutu could get to the rebound.

Posted on March 17th, 2009 by Dan
Filed under: Uncategorized