Inter
Inter Milan held their nerve to beat Napoli 3-2 in a breathless Serie A encounter at the San Siro, maintaining their 100% start to the season while breaking Neapolitan hearts in a match that swung wildly between despair and delight for both sets of supporters.
Inter storm into early control
The Nerazzurri exploded from the blocks, their high press forcing Napoli into uncharacteristic errors. The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute when Lautaro Martínez pounced on a defensive mishap, firing low past the keeper to send the Curva Nord into raptures. Just eleven minutes later, Nicolò Barella doubled the advantage with a curling strike from the edge of the box that kissed the underside of the bar – a goal worthy of any Derby d’Italia.
Napoli fightback ignites San Siro tension
Napoli emerged transformed after the break. Victor Osimhen announced his arrival in the 53rd minute, outmuscling his marker to power home a header from Piotr Zieliński’s cross. The Nigerian striker turned provider just seven minutes later, teeing up Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for a venomous near-post finish that suddenly had the away end in full voice and Inter’s defence looking suddenly brittle.
Inter find late winner amid chaos
Just as momentum seemed irrevocably with Napoli, substitute Federico Dimarco settled nerves in the 78th minute. The wing-back arrived like a train at the back post to meet Denzel Dumfries’ cross, his first-time volley sparking pandemonium in the stands. Napoli threw bodies forward, with Osimhen rattling the crossbar in added time, but Simone Inzaghi’s side held firm through six agonizing minutes of stoppage time to claim three vital points.
What this means for Serie A’s title race
This victory cements Inter’s position as early Serie A pace-setters with maximum points from three games, while Napoli slip five points behind despite their valiant fightback. For Luciano Spalletti’s side, concerns grow about defensive fragility after conceding six goals in three matches. Both sides now turn their attention to European commitments, with Inter hosting Real Sociedad in the Champions League while Napoli travel to Braga in a crucial prelude to their next domestic showdowns.
