Inter contrived to relegate their recent failures to mere footnote by allowing Fiorentina to mount a stunning comeback. Up 2-1 after a topsy-turvy first half, one could have been forgiven to think that Stefano Pioli's men had been gifted a reprieve. Ever intent on constantly bamboozling their long-suffering fan, the Nerazzurri allowed a Kalinic-less Viola to somehow net four goals in seventeen horrific minutes.
Matias Vecino -- who hadn't netted all season -- and Khouma Babacar ended up with two each, the ailing Davide Astori also heading one in.
It's a good job Steven Zhang hugged Pioli after this disaster, because many would have been justified in thinking that the manager would be fired in the morning.
Positives
Never has scoring four goals felt this pointless, to be honest. At least Mauro Icardi filled his boots, and on the road, too.
Negatives
The defence looked tetchy in the first half, when things were (theoretically) going well. You know how Juventus have an autopilot, and can kill games once they're in a good position? Yeah, Inter have the opposite of that, a sort of supermarket free-for-all where just about anyone can fill their trolleys to bursting.
It's horrifying how Inter could resurrect a dead and dying team -- whose fans have been in open revolt since last season, never mind 2017 -- they were leading 2-1.
The back line is composed of a veteran (Miranda) whose body is falling apart, one "defender" (Gary Medel) learning his trade and two guys who should know how to get the basics right by now. Why on earth were Danilo D'Ambrosio and Yuto Nagatomo given extensions exactly?
Manager rating out of 10
3 -- Who knew that defending a one-goal lead for 45 minutes with a poor defence was a bad idea? Why change a system that was working? Why stop pressing against a pass-happy opponent? Why can't Inter's standard defensive shape stop anyone? What is the point of moaning about set pieces when the team is obviously set up badly for them? The mind boggles.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Samir Handanovic, 7 -- Saved Federico Bernardeschi's awful Panenka penalty, not to mention several other glaring chances, including diving onto a ball Borja Valero was close to stabbing home. Admittedly could have got a hand on the third.
DF Danilo D'Ambrosio, 4 -- Good in his harassment role, but was naive to give away the (generous) penalty. Repeatedly struggled to deal with Fiorentina's pace and physicality.
DF Gary Medel, 3 -- Poor at distribution, and even worse at staying goalside of Babacar as the former Modena star curled in the fourth. Also has a share in the blame on the third and fifth. It's good that a Serie A side is lining up someone who needs to learn Defending 101.
DF Miranda, 4 -- Guilty of giving it away in possession, and what is really worrying is that he's looked overwhelmed like this before. Nearly scored an own goal as well. One would assume the Brazilian would be better if he didn't have so many fires to put out, but he should have blocked Vecino better as the Viola delivered their lethal one-two.
DF Yuto Nagatomo, 5 -- The least worst in that he was "only" guilty of clearing it like a Sunday League player on the attack that led to the pen. Completely invisible beyond that.
MF Roberto Gagliardini, 4 -- The first two goals are his fault, failing to track Vecino and letting Astori tower over him without looking like he was anywhere near heading it.
MF Geoffrey Kondogbia, 4 -- His lack of pace and composure were brutally exposed. If he can't use his physique or his read of the game, he's useless, letting opponents dance past him at will.
MF Antonio Candreva, 6 -- Created Ivan Perisic's goal with a nice pass, but then fumbled over the ball on what should have been a third goal.
MF Joao Mario, 5 -- Faded catastrophically in the second half. Was arguably played too far forwards, but his passing was very haphazard. Was supposed to relieve pressure, not increase it.
MF Ivan Perisic, 7 -- A constant force on the wings, a defensive dynamo and the scorer of a sweet effort. Too good for this team.
FW Mauro Icardi, 8 -- Took the chances he was given. Pity the latter two came when it was too late, lending an almost desultory note to what was a strong performance.
Substitutes
FW Eder, NR -- Came on with 17 minutes to go, apparently.
MF Marcelo Brozovic, NR -- Contributed to one of Inter's futile goals.