In the Serie A summit meeting, neither Inter Milan nor SSC Napoli were able to prevail. The chance-poor top match ended in a 1-1 draw.
One point separated the two teams before the top match. The best offence was the guest of the best defence, the league leader at the runner-up.
As promising as that had sounded in the run-up to the match, the Serie A summit meeting also got off to a fast-paced start: both Inter and Napoli had their first chances (2nd, 4th). And Napoli’s first advance had immediate serious consequences: Osimhen was brought down by de Vrij in the penalty area and after studying the pictures, referee Daniele Doveri decided on a penalty kick (6th). Insigne converted safely to make it 1:0 (7th).
Napoli are better in the first half – then Dzeko equalises
Napoli got off to the better start and were the superior team. Five minutes after taking the lead, Zielinski narrowly missed a 2-0 lead with a shot against the post (12th). After a somewhat calmer phase, it was again the home side who had the chances. Osimhen (27th, 30th) and Insigne (29th) were the most conspicuous players, but both missed. Ospina in the SSC goal did not have to intervene often, he only got a header from Dzeko on his goal (37th).
But the striker showed immediately after the restart that he is always a force to be reckoned with: Via a diversion he received the ball again to the right of the goal and shot the ball energetically and from an acute angle at the lower edge of the crossbar, from where the ball bounced into the net. The equaliser was achieved (48th).
Dzeko’s goal was the highlight of an otherwise chance-poor second half. Napoli had two more good chances through Osimhen (55.) and Elmas (69.), but otherwise hardly took any risks. Inter, on the other hand, had the ball most of the time, but did not hurry forward in the game. Consequently, it remained 1-1, which keeps Inter at the top of the table, but only temporarily: Already tomorrow, Milan could jump to first place in Serie A with a win against Sampdoria Genoa.
For Napoli and Inter it continues in European competition during the week: SSC face FC Barcelona in the Europa League (Thursday, 18.45). The Nerazzurri already welcome Liverpool FC on Wednesday (9pm) for the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League.
