In a decisive Serie A clash, Inter Milan emphatically outplayed defending champions Napoli with a 3-0 victory, signaling a strong message to their rivals and reaffirming their position at the top of the league. The win not only reinstated Inter’s two-point lead but also raised serious doubts about Napoli’s title defense.
The match saw Inter’s Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, and Marcus Thuram each netting goals, showcasing the team’s offensive prowess. Inter’s unbeaten streak away from home remained intact, further solidifying their status as favorites to clinch their 20th league title. Simone Inzaghi, Inter’s coach, praised the team’s strength and unity following the remarkable win at a venue where they’ve historically struggled.
For Napoli, now lagging by 11 points, the defeat at the hands of Inter, especially at home under returning coach Walter Mazzarri, was a significant blow. Their hopes of retaining the Scudetto are now hanging by a thread, with a crucial match against Juventus looming on the horizon.
Napoli’s frustration was evident as their sporting director, Mauro Meluso, criticized the refereeing decisions, particularly for not stopping play before Inter’s opening goal and for a non-awarded penalty on Victor Osimhen.
Inter dominated the game post-Calhanoglu’s stunning opener just before the half-time mark. The hosts, despite being in their first home fixture under Mazzarri, were unable to counter Inter’s tactical finesse. Yann Sommer’s excellent saves, including denying Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, further thwarted Napoli’s efforts.
Barella’s first goal of the season and Thuram’s fifth league goal, assisted by Juan Cuadrado, sealed the deal for Inter, highlighting their offensive firepower and tactical acumen.
In other Serie A action, Roma engineered a comeback victory over Sassuolo, with goals from Paulo Dybala and Rasmus Kristensen. This win saw Roma replacing Napoli in the top four based on goal difference. The controversy surrounding Jose Mourinho’s pre-match comments about referee Matteo Marcenaro and his post-match choice to speak only in Portuguese added an extra layer of drama to Roma’s victory.
Meanwhile, Fiorentina sits just behind Roma and Napoli in sixth place after defeating Salernitana, and Bologna follows closely after their draw against Lecce.
With Inter’s statement win and the shifting dynamics in the top four, the Serie A title race is heating up, promising an exciting and competitive season ahead.
