Inter Milan were in a great place just under a month ago, topping Serie A and looking good to make the Coppa Italia final.
However, football can be a cruel game and it only takes a couple of bad results for things to change and there has been a dramatic change in the circumstances of Inter Milan. They head into week 20 of the Serie A season 7 points adrift of leaders Napoli.
This weekend Inter Milan face Fiorentina away from home, in what has the makings of a very tough match for the visitors.
Trends show Fiorentina have been inconsistent this season and one glance at their last five fixtures provides a great snapshot into their season.
La Viola have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five matches in all competitions. There have been wins over Sampdoria and Cagliari in the Coppa Italia and Serie A respectively, draws with Genoa and AC Milan in Serie A and a defeat to Lazio in the Coppa Italia.
Fiorentina have been drawing too many matches to challenge at the top of the league this season and have picked up a point in five of their last seven Serie A games. However, they have been undefeated in their last seven league matches and have a strong home record.
Inter Milan have failed to win any of their last four games in all competitions and are on a potentially season destroying run of form.
A defeat in this game could leave them 10 points adrift of Napoli at the top of the league and that would all but end their hopes of winning the Serie A title.
Not only have Inter Milan suffered disappointing defeats to Udinese and Sassuolo in Serie A, they were also eliminated from the Coppa Italia by AC Milan. Following that defeat, Inter Milan were held to a draw by Lazio in the league.
However, trends show Inter Milan have lost only one of their last ten away Serie A games and will still be difficult to beat in this match.
Team news and Fiorentina could have a fully fit squad available for this game and will be close to full strength. Both Davide Astori and Jordan Veretout are one yellow card away from a suspension.
Inter Milan travel to Florence without Danilo D’Ambrosio and Zinho Vanheusden who are injured. Brazilian central defender Miranda could be available again following injury but remains a doubt.
Inter Milan clearly need to get back to winning ways if they want to remain in the title race. However, they could not have picked a more difficult game as Fiorentina have lost only three of their last twenty-eight home league games.
This match looks like ending in a draw, with goals for both teams.