Sunday, May 21, 2023 at 7:56 PM• Jonathan van Haaster

Internazionale had to swallow a defeat on a visit to Napoli. The team of coach Simone Inzaghi, who plays the cup final against Fiorentina on Wednesday, lost 3-1. Napoli was the dominant party, created by far the most chances and managed to break the spell through André-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Romelu Lukaku scored the equalizer just before time. A great achievement, as Inter midfielder Roberto Gagliardini was sent off with two yellow cards just before half-time. However, the Milanese had to watch how Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Gianluca Gaetano still won the victory for Napoli in the final phase. Due to the defeat, Inter can still fall outside the top four.

Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti had a starting place on the right wing for Eljif Elmas, so that Matteo Politano had to take a seat on the bench. The other option for the right wing, Hirving Lozano, was not available due to a knee injury. Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia completed the champion’s attack. On the Inter side, Inzaghi had a starting place for Stefan de Vrij. He was at the heart of the defense alongside Danilo D’Ambrosio and Alessandro Bastoni. Denzel Dumfries’ place on the right in midfield was taken by Raoul Bellanova. Inter will play the final of the Coppa Italia on Wednesday, so Edin Dzeko and Lautaro Martínez also got a rest. Joaquín Correa and Romelu Lukaku were therefore the strikers.

The spell has been broken in Naples! ???
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa takes the lead and then shoots out of the turn behind compatriot Onana ??#ZiggoSport #SerieA #NapoliInter pic.twitter.com/ARXNy2fgJ9

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 21, 2023

Zambo Anguissa got the first good opportunity. The midfielder was played very quickly from a free kick and saw his shot go a few meters wide. The Cameroonian left compatriot André Onana completely without a chance on his next attempt, but to the relief of the latter, the ball rolled centimeters wide. Osimhen also made a name for himself. The Nigerian first headed into the hands of Onana, who moments later saw a bicycle kick by the striker go wide. Five minutes before the break, Gagliardini received his second yellow card of the game after a tackle on Zambo Anguissa. Moments later, the latter shot Bellanova’s hand, but it was not enough for a penalty kick. With ten men, Inter had a good chance just before half-time. Barella passed Lukaku, who saw his bet end up in the side net.

Guess who’s back! ??
Inter already plays a half with 10 men, but then suddenly there is Romelu Lukaku with the equalizer?#ZiggoSport #SerieA #NapoliInter pic.twitter.com/kPdZeZPhHM

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 21, 2023

Napoli continued to press after the break and that soon led to a shot from Di Lorenzo, which hit Onana. It became clear that Inter thought the 0-0 score was fine and that was noticeable by the time wasting of the visitors. However, Inzaghi’s team could have taken the lead after an hour. Bellanova showed his class with an impressive rush over the right and passed to the completely uncovered Robin Gosens, who hit the ball completely wrong. On the other hand, it was still a hit for Napoli. D’Ambrosio got Onana into trouble, as a result of which the ball was not cleared properly. Zambo Anguissa was then reached and hit the ball from the turn: 1-0.

????????, Giovanni Di Lorenzo! ??
With his lesser left he places the ball insanely behind the hopeless André Onana ??#ZiggoSport #SerieA #NapoliInter pic.twitter.com/1LISQUcYNA

— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 21, 2023

Substitute Dumfries came very close to the equalizer, were it not that his header was taken off the line. In the ensuing counter-attack, Napoli scored, but the goal was disallowed due to a foul by Piotr Zielinski. To the disbelief of those present in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Inter came to the same level ten minutes before the end. Federico Dimarco quickly brought the ball in front of the goal, where Lukaku was ready to tap in: 1-1. Nevertheless, Napoli managed to take the lead again. Di Lorenzo curled the ball wonderfully into the intersection behind the stunned Onana: 2-1. Despite a threatening cross in front of Dumfries’ goal, Inter was unable to repair the damage. In fact, substitute Gaetano made it 3-1 from a counter.