With seven points from their first three games, reigning champions Inter were top of the table – only to surrender it to Napoli (4-0 in Cagliari) on Sunday. It almost came close to a defeat
Sometimes you just need a stone to throw.
This was the case in the Lombardy clash between still winless underdogs AC Monza and reigning champions Inter Milan, who were looking to reclaim the lead from Napoli (4-0 at Cagliari) with their third win in four Serie A games.
But there was no sign of a derby atmosphere or non-stop highlights. Both teams played a barren match for long stretches, which could best be summarized as follows: Monza allowed nothing in the final third with a solid defense, FC Internazionale lacked ideas. Only Dimarco, after a bad pass from Daniel Maldini (6th), son of Milan legend Paolo, and Frattesi (26th) were able to make an impact
Dany Mota surprises, Dumfries counters
But just when everything looked like it was going to be a dismal zero, the underdog’s match plan worked out perfectly. Monza struck with the first serious attacking move of their own: Izzo delicately crossed inside before Zielinski arrived too late, where Dany Mota jumped higher than Pavard and dinked his header powerfully left-footed into the box. Sommer in the Nerazzurri box had no chance to defend (81st).
However, it was precisely this that was supposed to be the aforementioned stumbling block in this “soccer dispute” – and wake up the giants. Equipped with fresh personnel such as the two strikers Taremi and Arnautovic, brought in for the less conspicuous Lautaro Martinez and Thuram, FC Internazionale pushed forward. And how: The pressure increased by the second. Until the score was 1:1 in the 88th minute: Former Monza player Carlos Augusto’s slightly deflected ball found the joker Dumfries, who was ready to shoot
But that was as good as it got, partly because Frattesi missed (90.+1) and, at the other end, Pessina put a promising final standard across Sommer’s box (90.+5). And so Inter (eight points together with FC Torino and Juventus) had to let Napoli move to the top of the table
