Inter Milan delivered an outstanding performance and capitalized on every opportunity to secure a 3-0 victory against the defending champions Napoli, reclaiming the top spot in Serie A. Inter now leads the league with 35 points, two ahead of Juventus after 14 matches. Napoli sits in fifth place with 24 points, tied with fourth-placed Roma.
Just before halftime, Inter managed to score against the run of play when Hakan Çalhanoğlu unleashed a precise shot from outside the penalty area that found the bottom corner, putting his team ahead.
Napoli's hopes were dashed in the 61st minute when Nicolò Barella controlled a cross inside the box, dribbled past two defenders, and successfully shot past goalkeeper Alex Meret, extending Inter's lead to 2-0.
Marcus Thuram, unmarked, completed the scoring for his team just five minutes before the end, surging into the box to meet a well-placed pass and easily finding the net.
After the match, Inter coach Simone Inzaghi told DAZN, "When coming to Naples, you have to expect some difficulties. We prepared in a certain way to push our full-backs at the expense of Napoli's, because the further you can keep Napoli from the box, the better. The only time we struggled was when we were defending too deeply."
He added, "Winning this way in Naples satisfies us, but we know we are still in week 14 and there is still a long way to go."
Inter excelled in away matches, achieving the highest number of wins (six) and conceding the fewest goals (two) among clubs in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Napoli started the match strongly, with Elif Elmas forcing Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer into a strong save. Despite wearing their orange third kit, Inter players initially struggled to connect with each other. The visitors often lost momentum, allowing Napoli to exploit space on the wings.
Inter thought they had taken the lead when Thuram scored from a header by Lautaro Martínez, only for the goal to be ruled offside. Matteo Politano responded with a long-range shot that struck Inter's crossbar just before halftime.
Although Napoli controlled the second half, Inzaghi's team held firm and doubled their lead through a brilliant performance from Barella, who dominated the midfield. Sommer excelled, denying a header from Napoli striker Victor Osimhen before the assistant referee raised the flag for offside.
Barella then sent a wonderful pass to Juan Cuadrado, who laid the ball off for Thuram, allowing Inter to clinch the victory at Napoli’s stadium. Inzaghi concluded, "Napoli is the Italian champion. We faced some risks with Politano's chance, and Sommer saved us from many attacks, but the players deserved it, and I embraced them all as individuals."
