Chivu: Inter’s Strikers Acknowledge Finishing Issues
Cristian Chivu warned that Inter need more ruthlessness in attack ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fiorentina. He said Inter’s strikers are aware of finishing issues and must respond quickly.
Form and recent results
Inter have gone three matches without a win in all competitions. The run includes the derby defeat to Milan and a 1-1 draw with Atalanta.
The team scored only once across those three matches. Francesco Pio Esposito provided that goal against Atalanta.
Pressure at the top
Milan’s victory over Torino increased the pressure on Inter. The gap at the top of Serie A is now five points.
Injuries and player impact
Marcus Thuram has not scored since 8 February. Lautaro Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny are unavailable through injury for the Fiorentina game.
With Martinez on the pitch in 2026, Inter won 10 of 13 matches. That represents a 77% win rate and a 2.4 goals-per-game average.
Without Martinez, Inter managed two wins from six matches. That is a 33% success rate and an average of one goal per game.
Francesco Pio Esposito
Esposito, 20, has five goals this season. He could score in consecutive Serie A appearances for the first time.
He also has a chance to join the select list of Inter players who scored more than five goals before turning 21.
Fiorentina overview
Fiorentina have won each of their last three matches across competitions. They reached the Conference League quarter-finals.
The Viola climbed out of the relegation zone. They sit just one point clear of 18th-placed Lecce.
Moise Kean
Seven of Kean’s eight Serie A goals this season came at the Franchi. No player has scored more home goals in 2025-26.
Since joining Fiorentina, Kean has 20 goals in 28 home league games. He scored a brace against Inter on 6 February 2025.
Head-to-head and set-piece facts
Inter have been unbeaten in 15 of the last 17 Serie A meetings with Fiorentina. They scored 34 goals in that span.
Inter have won four of the last five encounters. Fiorentina did win the most recent Franchi meeting 3-0 on 6 February 2025.
Inter lead Serie A for set-piece goals this season with 21. Fifteen of those came from corners, a league high.
Fiorentina have conceded 17 goals from set-pieces this term. Only Verona have conceded more with 19, while Genoa match Fiorentina on 17.
Players to watch
- Moise Kean — prolific at the Franchi and key for Fiorentina’s attack.
- Francesco Pio Esposito — young forward in form and seeking consistency.
- Marcus Thuram — needs a goal after a scoring drought since 8 February.
Odds and outlook
Opta assigns Inter the highest win probability for the match. The figures are: Fiorentina 20.8%, Draw 23.1%, Inter 56.1%.
Chivu urged players to take responsibility. He stressed daily work, regained energy, and practical solutions as priorities.
Filmogaz.com will monitor team updates ahead of the game on Sunday.
