In the 2011 Viareggio Cup final, Inter Milan defeated Fiorentina and lifted the trophy for the sixth time. Seven years later, the Nerazzurri added their eight cup in the silverware as they overcame the Viola again.

 

Perhaps galvanised by the homage to late senior team captain Davide Astori as well as by the vibrant passion of their fans, Fiorentina played much better for most of the first half.

 

Unfortunately, all Viola efforts lacked accuracy. Midfielder Abdou Diakhate cannoned the ball slightly over the crossbar on a set piece, then striker Gabriele Gori clumsily missed the target following a tempting solo rush towards the goal.

 

On the opposite side, Inter struggled in creating good chances to score: the only dangers came from playmaker Marco Pompetti, whose free kicks are both deflected in corner by goalkeeper Simone Ghidotti. Fiorentina repeatedly endeavoured to take the lead, but they successfully managed to do so only in the dawn of second half.

 

A few seconds from the kickoff have passed when gifted Josip Maganjic crossed from the right side of the box, his low pass being flashed into the net by rushing Riccardo Sottil. The goal sealed a great individual performance by the Fiorentina left winger just before first team coach Stefano Pioli, who attended the match from the main stand.

 

Inter had a vigorous reaction immediately after being punished at the very first indecision. Tiny forward Davide Merola forced Ghidotti to a nice save on a warning header and then missed the equaliser following a corner kick.

 

The two finalists switched their roles, as Inter ostensibly deserved to cancel Fiorentina’s lead out with a series of tempting opportunities. Finally, newly-entered Mouhamed Belkheir benefitted from a powerful forcing by Tommaso Brignoli and drilled in a few steps from the opposing goal.

 

Extra time seemed the most logical, fairest outcome. Inter eventually completed their comeback after six minutes. Ghidotti missed the ball whilst leaving his goal, Edoardo Vergani was lucky enough to find himself nearby and his shot shook the empty net. The Nerazzurri equalled Fiorentina in winning the Viareggio Cup eight times.

 

INTER 2-1 FIORENTINA

INTER (3-5-2): Pissardo; Zappa, Nolan, Rizzo (Corrado 71); Valietti (Vergani 71), Brignoli, Pompetti, Schirò (Rover 52), Sala; Merola (D’Amico 52), Adorante (Belkheir 52). Subs not used: Pozzer, Bagheria, Van den Eynden, Danso, Visconti, Gavioli, Marzupio, Roric. Coach: Stefano Vecchi.

FIORENTINA (4-2-3-1): Ghidotti; Mosti (Ferrarini 62), Ceccacci (Visentini 91), Pinto, Ranieri; Valencic, Diakhate; Maganjic (Hristov 78), Lakti (Gorgos 91), Sottil (Longo 88); Gori. Subs not used: Brancolini, Purro, Meli, Tourè Diawara, Corigliano, Faye, Kasse, Marozzi, Simonti. Coach: Emiliano Bigica.

Referee: Antonio Damato (Barletta), linesmen Andrea Crispo and Giorgio Schenone (Genoa).

Cautions: Ranieri (28), Diakhate (94), D’Amico (98), Valencic (118). Red cards: Pinto (105)

Goals: Sottil (46), Belkheir (79), Vergani (96).

Attendance: 4,000.