Inter Get Closer To The Top

How many times this season have we had 20 plus shots on goal, dominate a game and draw? In short, how many times this season have we got a result that we least deserve? This morning, our luck changed. We got a result we didn’t deserve but in a positive way. Over the season, luck evens itself out. That is the positive spin I would give Inter’s performance in the 1-0 win over Napoli at San Siro this morning.

Big Result

In terms of the result, it is a huge result. There is still about half a season left to be played but even at this stage, this result is a six-pointer. This result meant we have now won five Serie A matches in a row and cut AC Milan’s lead on top of the table to one point. It would also give the squad a massive boost to have beaten a rival for the title. To have done it in an ugly manner is also important for the team’s development and mentality.

Cagey Game

Both these teams were the top two highest scorers in Serie A this season but in Gennaro Gattuso’s time at Napoli, they have met each other three times last season. There were some familiarity and respect shown to each other from both teams in their tactical setup. Inter was happy to let Napoli have possession in areas that didn’t threaten. We defended well to cut out Napoli’s route towards goal. Napoli, on the other hand, sat back when we had possession too. We were too slow in possession to be able to get past Napoli’s organised block. Our strikers, Lautaro Martinez and Romelu Lukaku were bereft of service. To be frank neither was coming into this game in great form as individuals or as a partnership. Lukaku was completely shackled by Kalidou Koulibaly, once again bringing his reputation of going missing in big matches into question.

Wasted Chance & Hopelessness

We had the best chance to take the lead when a rare misplaced pass by Koulibaly was intercepted by Nicolo Barella who played it to Martinez and he placed his shot narrowly wide. Another moment of profligacy from Inter. As the match ambled on, the feeling of hopelessness grew. I don’t know where our goal would come from or worse still we could concede first especially since Napoli held on to possession better. I had no faith Antonio Conte would make a positive change to the tactics or the personnel but was hoping against hope he would.

Match Winning Moment

Out of the blue, we were presented a chance to score. Lukaku took the opportunity presented to him to score the game’s only goal. Throughout the game, the referee had a poor match missing some obvious fouls for both teams. I felt Lorenzo Insigne’s sending off was a bit harsh, he did lose his rag at the award of the penalty but it wasn’t excessive. What followed was a reversal of roles. We played like we had 10 men while Napoli poured forward looking for the equaliser.

Hero Handa

Samir Handanovic has been under fire this season for conceding from the first shot on target in at least half of our matches. This morning, he turned back the clock to show us the Handanovic we know, the Handanovic of old. He kept Napoli’s attempts out and we were lucky when Andrea Petagna’s shot hit the post. For a team with numerical superiority, we played without composure. We were loose in possession and gave it back too easily. Achraf Hakimi was brought on to replace Martinez which was a defensive move. Hakimi couldn’t capitalise on the acres of space to attack and he too was guilty of giving possession up easily.

Conte Escapes Criticism

We can sit easily today at getting a win and a morale-boosting one over a direct rival. But deep down inside we know our performance was anything but good. Had Napoli scored, Conte would open himself up to more criticism for a negative approach to the game. Instead, he will be spared the criticism for now. There is a bit of an injury crisis developing in midfield with Brozovic’s withdrawal. We hope his injury is not as serious as we don’t have a valid replacement for him.