Thaindian News

Rome, Dec 11 (IANS) Inter Milan registered a crucial 2-0 win over Fiorentina to lift themselves from Serie A’s relegation zone.

Former Fiorentina striker Giampaolo Pazzini scored the opener four minutes before the break, with Yuto Nagatomo adding the second four minutes after the interval.

Inter head coach Claudio Ranieri said his side got back up from the fall with a win, Xinhua reported.

The Nerazzurri had lost their last two home games in all competitions before taking on Fiorentina.

“Is it a turning point? Let’s not talk about that, as I think over the course of the season we have said it so many times that we have worn the phrase out,” Ranieri said.

“It was a fine performance, as this is a team that gets back up after falling,” he concluded.

Inter controlled the game from start to finish and wasted good chances against a negative Fiorentina side who looked a shadow of the team which defeated Roma 3-0 last weekend.

“We rarely countered and were too flat in attack in the first half,” said Fiorentina head coach Delio Rossi.

“We did better in the second half, but conceding the second goal really knocked the wind out of our sails. We have a lot of work to do and the lads are putting in the effort, but we are aware there’s a long way to go,” he said.

Lecce’s decision to part company with Eusebio Di Francesco did not reap instant dividends they would have hoped as Miroslav Klose’s brace helped title hopefuls Lazio snatch a late 3-2 victory.

Palermo missed the chance to climb to fifth as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at home to Cesena, who still remained in the relegation zone after only their third win in 14 games this season.

Goals from Marco Rossi and Rodrigo Palacio helped Genoa claim their first away win since September at Siena.