De Bruyne opens the scoring before injury, McTominay and Anguissa complete the statement win, and Inter’s defensive collapse ends a seven-game streak.
Napoli overpower Inter in a fiery clash at the Maradona
It had everything: penalties, brilliance, injuries, and drama. Napoli defeated Inter 3–1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in a match that may reshape the Serie A title race. Antonio Conte’s side, still without a true striker, played with intensity and tactical precision to halt the Nerazzurri’s seven-match winning run.
Inter started brighter, with Lautaro Martínez missing a clear chance early on. But Napoli grew into the game through their midfield power. The deadlock broke on the half-hour mark when Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty earned by Di Lorenzo after a tangle with Mkhitaryan. The Belgian, however, suffered a muscle injury while striking the ball and was forced off moments later.
Despite the setback, Napoli continued to push, while Inter struck the woodwork through Bastoni and came close through Lautaro and Dumfries. Then, early in the second half, Scott McTominay produced a moment of magic — capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Acerbi to sprint clear and curl a stunning right-footed strike past Sommer for 2–0.
Hakan Calhanoglu briefly reignited Inter’s hopes with a penalty following Buongiorno’s handball, but Napoli responded almost immediately. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa embarked on a breathtaking solo run before firing home the decisive 3–1, sealing a statement victory for the hosts.
Conte’s men controlled the final minutes with composure, showing resilience and character after their 6–2 defeat in Eindhoven. For Chivu’s Inter, it was a night to forget — full of errors and missed chances.
Match Report
Serie A – Round 9
Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples
Napoli 3–1 Inter
Scorers: 33′ De Bruyne (pen., N), 54′ McTominay (N), 59′ Calhanoglu (pen., I), 67′ Anguissa (N)
Napoli (4-1-4-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Buongiorno (90′ Beukema), Spinazzola (90′ Gutierrez); Gilmour; Politano (81′ Elmas), Anguissa, De Bruyne (37′ Olivera), McTominay; Neres (81′ Lang).
Coach: Conte
Inter (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries (72′ Luis Henrique), Barella (72′ Frattesi), Calhanoglu (72′ Sucic), Mkhitaryan (32′ Zielinski), Dimarco; Bonny (62′ Pio Esposito), Lautaro Martínez.
Coach: Chivu
Referee: Mariani
Booked: Di Lorenzo, Gilmour (Napoli); Bastoni (Inter); Conte (Napoli coach)
Stadium: Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (Naples)
