Fiorentina have failed to close in on a Champions League spot after being defeated 2-1 by Inter Milan at home in Serie A.

The first chance of the game fell to the visitors, as Rodrigo Palacio broke forward from midfield before striking the woodwork.

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Inter cranked up the pressure in search of an opener as Hernanes's cross nearly found Yuto Nagatomo in the opposition box, only for a Fiorentina player to clear the danger.

The visitors continued pushing forward and nearly got their reward when Diego Millito cut inside before firing a shot away, but he could only find the side-netting.

Palacio did manage to find the back of the net shortly after, however, taking down Fredy Guarin's chipped pass and firing past Neto in the Viola goal to give Inter a half-time lead.

Just two minutes after the restart, Juan Cuadrado curled home an equaliser for the hosts.

Inter retained their lead through Mauro Icardi shortly after the hour mark when the striker finished clinically after being picked out by Nagatomo.

Vincenzo Montella's side pushed for a second equaliser of the night, but it was Inter who had the best chance to add to the scoreline through Palacio and Icardi.

The goalscorers led a counter-attack for the Nerazzurri, but the move came to an end when Nenad Tomovic put the ball behind for a corner.

Substitute Alessandro Matri fired a low cross into the direction of Mario Gomez, but the returning striker couldn't get on the end of the ball.