NAPLES (ITALPRESS) – A finale of great emotions, the roar of the Maradona and the Azzurri retaking a match of enormous importance. The Scudetto match between Napoli and Inter ended 1-1. A goal by Billing in the 87th thwarted the initial lead sealed on a free kick by Dimarco. Thus, the gap between the top three in the class remains unchanged: Simone Inzaghi’s team leads the standings with 58 points, one more than Napoli and three more than Atalanta, which was stopped in the afternoon by Venezia at 0-0. It is a result that displeases no one and lengthens the winless streak of Conte’s team, which has not obtained the three points since last January 25: since then, four draws and one defeat have come, the result more than anything else of carelessness in the final (three goals out of seven conceded in the last 15 minutes). This time it was Napoli who struck at the expiration after a first-half spell by Dimarco. The Nerazzurri outfielder at 22′ took charge of a free kick from 20 yards and with an impregnable trajectory left Meret stunned. Napoli – orphaned of Neres and Anguissa – reacted by relying on Lukaku: the Belgian at 33′ hit the outside of the net with a volley. In 44′, however, it was a sliding intervention by Bastoni that deflected a shot from the former Nerazzurri’s sure-fire conclusion into a corner. At 51′ Inzaghi has to make a forced double change: Calhanoglu (contusion) and Dimarco (right thigh flexor contracture) give way to Zielinski and Pavard. The emergency Inter lowered its center of gravity. And at 65′ it is Martinez who keeps the Nerazzurri afloat with a great intervention on McTominay’s missile. For Conte’s first substitution we have to wait until 77′: out goes Raspadori, in comes Okafor. Then the entry of Billing, Ngonge and Olivera in place of Gilmour, Politano and Spinazzola. Less quality, more physicality and presence in the box. However, a mix of the three qualities is needed for the equalizer: in the 87th minute, Lobotka penetrates between the lines and fishes Billing’s insertion into the box: Martinez rejects the first shot, but on the tap in the new acquisition does not forgive. The last chance is Ngonge’s: his sure-footed conclusion is muffed by Acerbi and ends up in Martinez’s arms. The Scudetto fight remains wide open.- Photo Ipa Agency -(ITALPRESS).
