Inter’s Early Goal and Throw-In Controversy in Draw Against Fiorentina
Florence, Italy – March 22, 2026 – Inter secured a 1-1 draw against Fiorentina in a crucial Serie A match, but the game was not without its controversies. Pio Esposito opened the scoring for Inter within the first minute, however, a throw-in leading up to the goal sparked immediate protests from Fiorentina manager Paolo Vanoli.
Vanoli’s Protest Over Throw-In
The controversy centered around a throw-in taken by Inter’s Denzel Dumfries just before Esposito’s goal. Vanoli immediately argued that Dumfries had placed his feet inside the pitch while executing the throw-in, violating the rules. He was visibly animated on the touchline, shouting, “It’s in! It’s in, oh!” and directly addressing referee Colombo, stating, “The throw-in was taken with his feet inside the pitch.”
While DAZN footage confirmed that the tips of Dumfries’ toes were indeed inside the pitch boundary, the rules stipulate that a foul is only called if the entirety of the foot is inside the line.
Disallowed Inter Goal Adds to Debate
Further adding to the discussion, Inter had a second goal, scored by Nicolò Barella, disallowed for offside in the 7th minute. Substitute Kolarov questioned the offside call, asking, “Whose offside?” Barella and Esposito also inquired with the referee, but replays showed that Barella himself was in an offside position.
Fiorentina’s Response and Equalizer
Fiorentina responded in the 77th minute with a goal from Cher Ndour, who capitalized on a rebound after Yann Sommer saved an Albert Gudmundsson shot. The draw highlighted Fiorentina’s improved form this season, particularly after a difficult start where they didn’t secure a league win until December 21st.
Vanoli Praises Fiorentina’s Resilience
Following the match, Paolo Vanoli praised his team’s performance, especially considering their busy schedule. He stated that the motivation and desire of his players were key to securing the draw against the league leaders. Yahoo Sports reported Vanoli’s comments, emphasizing the team’s ability to maintain intensity throughout a demanding period.
Esposito’s Continued Impact
Despite the draw, Pio Esposito continues to impress for Inter, demonstrating his ability to deliver crucial goals. The Guardian highlighted Esposito’s performance, noting his consistent contributions for both club and country.
The result leaves Inter still in a strong position in the title race, but the dropped points give encouragement to their rivals. Fiorentina, meanwhile, continue their climb away from the relegation zone.