Edin Dzeko rescues a point for Inter Milan against Napoli to hold onto their slender lead at the top of the Serie A table.
Defending champions Inter Milan fought back from a goal down against SSC Napoli to extend their lead at the top of the Serie A table to two points.
Simone Inzaghi’sInzaghi’s side went into the game following a 2-1 loss to rivals AC Milan last weekend. They looked set for another defeat after Lorenzo Insigne gave Napoli the lead from the spot.
The Nerazzurri showed more intent in the second half and drew level thanks to Edin Dzeko soon after the break. Inzaghi’s men seized control of the midfield and only got stronger as the game went on. Unfortunately, they could not find a second goal and had to settle for a share of the spoils.
The draw means Inter could end the weekend in the second spot in Serie A should AC Milan defeat Sampdoria later tonight. However, the defending champions will have a game in hand and can yet restore themselves to the summit. Having secured just one point from their two biggest rivals for the title, Inter have wasted a precious opportunity to pull away from the chasing pack.
440 – Inter have interrupted a streak of 440 minutes without conceding an away goal in Serie A: before today their last goal conceded on the road arrived v AC Milan in November (de Vrij's own goal). Lightning.#NapoliInter #SerieA
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) February 12, 2022
As things stand, the title race is certainly back on, and it is still Inter’s to lose. The Hard Tackle looks at how the Nerazzurri players fared on the night.
Samir Handanovic (7/10)
A Jekyll and Hyde performance from the veteran shot-stopper. He enjoyed a rather forgettable first half but came to life when Inter needed him after the break. He made a couple of excellent saves to deny Napoli, playing his role in ensuring that Inter enjoyed a share of the spoils.
Milan Skriniar (6/10)
The Inter ace’s rather poor performance thankfully went unpunished by Napoli. Skriniar was far from his best and looked shaky on the night. With Liverpool up next, he will need to pull up his socks and rediscover his best.
Stefan de Vrij (5/10)
It was a poor outing by the Dutchman, who did not get going on the night. His mistake in the second half saw Eljif Elmas through on goal. Thankfully Handanovic was alert and did well to spare de Vrij’s blushes.
Federico Dimarco (5/10)
He replaced the suspended Alessandro Bastoni but lacked the latter’s defensive nous. Dimarco appeared more intent to attack but showed precious little in terms of any output. A largely forgettable night for the Italian who struggled to impress on either front.
Denzel Dumfries (6/10)
The Dutchman, to his credit, was a constant thorn in Napoli’s side all night. However, he lacked the end product to make his forward forays count. He is slowly yet surely establishing himself as a consistent performer for Inter.
Nicolo Barella (5/10)
The Euro 2020 hero had a poor outing that failed to showcase his impressive traits. Barella struggled to get going all night and now has a week to cool off following his suspension against Liverpool.
? | CHANCE
65 – #Barella has a go from outside the box but it goes over#NapoliInter 1⃣-1⃣#FORZAINTER ⚫️? pic.twitter.com/Dg94pCxJUU
— Inter ??? (@Inter_en) February 12, 2022
Marcelo Brozovic (6/10)
The Croatian is often Inter’s orchestrator in midfield but appeared to have forgotten that during the first half. Thankfully for Inter, he rose to the challenge after the break as Inter seized control of the midfield. A consistent performer for the Italian champions, Brozovic appeared tired and was far from his best.
Hakan Calhanoglu (5/10)
The Turkish midfielder lacked imagination and his usual verve. He was largely a passenger on the night and failed to get going. There was a slight improvement in the second half, but it was not enough to make a tangible difference on the field.
Ivan Perisic (6/10)
Usually a reliable outlet on the left wing, Perisic also struggled on the night. He did get behind the Napoli defence on a couple of occasions but could not make the difference. It was physically another gruelling outing for the veteran ahead of a pivotal set of fixtures for Inter Milan.
Edin Dzeko (6/10)
He was largely anonymous in the opening exchanges and rarely got going in the first half. Dzeko did well to score early in the second half and looked much sharper after the break. It was still far from his best.
5 – Since his Serie A debut in 2015/16, Edin #Dzeko has scored five league goals against Napoli: only Ciro Immobile (six) has had more against them in the process. Sniper.#NapoliInter #SerieA pic.twitter.com/qPoqgFEFpD
— OptaPaolo ? (@OptaPaolo) February 12, 2022
Lautaro Martinez (6/10)
The Argentine huffed and puffed and chased down every ball on the night. It was his excellent cross that led to Dzeko’s equaliser. Martinez, however, continues to find the back of the net and that lack of confidence in the final third showed
Substitutes
Alexis Sanchez (6/10)
The Chilean replaced Martinez late in the second half and looked up for the game. However, he failed to find a clear opening in the limited time he spent on the pitch.
Arturo Vidal (6/10)
The Chilean added much-needed energy in the middle of the pitch but had little to no time to make an impact.
Danilo D’Ambrosio (6/10)
A late throw of the dice as Inter sought a winner. He found little joy as the ball refused to fall to him in the closing stages.
