THRILLING START FOR INTER
Late Lukaku, D’Ambrosio goals lift the Nerazzurri in seven-goal Fiorentina show
DANILO D’Ambrosio and Romelu Lukaku scored two late goals as Inter Milan grabbed a thrilling season-opening 4-3 win over a Franck Ribery-inspired Fiorentina on Saturday.
Title rivals Atalanta and Lazio also got their campaigns off to winning starts as they bid to deny Juventus a 10th consecutive Serie A title this season.
Antonio Conte’s Inter had been trailing Fiorentina with three minutes to go in the San Siro but broke through after Ribery was substituted.
Lukaku equalised on 87 minutes with defender D’Ambrosio nodding in two minutes later.
“The three points are important, but obviously you have to make the right assessment,” said Conte.
“The positive aspect is to have scored four goals, obtained a lot of chances, the rival goalkeeper was very good, but we had problems.
“We need to improve, we need more balance.”
Inter finished second in Serie A last season just one point behind Juventus.
“Last year we gained credibility in Italy by finishing second in the league, and for many other positive things,” added Conte.
“We must bring joy back to our team, the fans, even with matches like these in which the team didn’t give up, showing great desire, and I’m proud of this.”
Ciro Immobile picked up where he left off as Lazio won 2-0 at Cagliari while Atalanta earned a 4-2 comeback against Torino.
Italy forward Immobile — top Serie A scorer last season with 36 goals — grabbed Lazio’s second goal in the last quarter of an hour in Sardinia.
Lazio and Atalanta go head-tohead in Rome next Wednesday.”
In Turin, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Atalanta proved they had lost none of their attacking style from last season with the most goals scored in the Italian top flight including 7-0 against Torino last January in Turin.
“We are stronger than last year,” warned Gasperini.
“You learn a lot from playing in Europe, and despite the difficulties we have suffered, we haven’t given up.
“This year some valuable players have arrived and if we are lucky enough to recover (Josip) Ilicic we will be even stronger.
“It will be a season during which I will be able to rotate more players, last year I had a smaller squad available.”
Promoted Benevento came from two goals down to beat Sampdoria 3-2.