Inter takes down Napoli, Dzeko sinks Spalletti for the first time

Napoli disappoints and loses unbeaten streak at San Siro: Dzeko man of the match

Leading Napoli loses its unbeaten streak in the first match of 2023: Spalletti’s team was beaten 1-0 at the San Siro by Inter Milan, scored by Dzeko in the 56th minute.

The Azzurri, who break their streak of 11 consecutive wins, remain first but see their pursuers closing in: AC Milan are -5, Juve -7 and Inter -8.

Better Inter in the first half. The leaders held more ball possession but struggled to lunge, while the hosts were more ferocious. Inzaghi’s team came close to taking the lead in the 4th minute with Dimarco, in the 26th minute with Darmian who gobbled up the 1-0 lead, and in the 40th minute with Lukaku, who triggered by a Barella backheel shot sent high over the crossbar.

Napoli’s difficulties were accentuated in the second half, when Inter raised the level again, exposing the problems of Spalletti’s team. In the 56th minute came the Nerazzurri’s well-deserved lead: on Mkhitaryan’s initiative, Dimarco drew Dzeko into the box with a fine cross, whose header beat an unguarded Meret.

It is surprisingly weak the reaction of the leading team, uncertain in attack: Kvaratskhelia does not light up, Zielinski is inaccurate and Osimhen too isolated. Spalletti decides to shake things up by changing the outsides: Lozano and Elmas come in for Kvaratskhelia and Politano.

In the 85th minute Spalletti tries the desperation move, inserting another striker, Simeone, for Lobotka. Napoli inevitably gets unbalanced for the final forcing, and in the open field the Nerazzurri are lurking with counterattacks by Correa and Lautaro Martinez.

In the final Inter suffering (Onana good on Raspadori), but Inzaghi’s team resists and knocks out the leader.