If Inter could’ve asked to face Napoli at any time this season, tonight would’ve been the chosen night. Without prolific Gonzalo Higuain to count on for goals all that could’ve been better coming into the game was our league position/the gap separating us from where we long to be again. The early early exchanges were Napoli’s before Medel played an inch perfect ball – think Daley Blind to Robin Van Persie when the Netherlands tore the then reigning champs a new one in the World Cup – to Icardi, whose first touch was something of pure beauty and Ibra-esque before playing a controlled lob over an onrushing Reina. Napoli resumed their position of dominance as if nothing had happened while we looked a bit off the pace, we could however take solace in the fact that our defence was solid and marking assignments were kept to, to a tee.
We took a long while to get going which ultimately wouldn’t be acceptable on a normal day and given our chances of making the Champions League next season lessening by the game, even less acceptable. What was to come in the last 5/10 minutes was not what I expected to say the least, Inter dominance after countless Napoli attacks came to nothing. We got a semi decent chance through JoJo and then Perisic came close in quick succession before we got further breathing space with a cracking goal on the counter. Icardi turned provider playing it over a marooned Strinic and Brozovic ran on and coolly dinked it over Reina and into the far post to end the half strongly.
More free flowing football going forward started the half for both sides, with an exciting end to end game developing quickly. There was no mucking around when we came back out the tunnel, nor was the foot taken off the gas.
Icardi went for an audacious lob after Reina made a hash of a catch but Koulibaly just kept it out as it dipped down and looked bound to be 3-0 and game over for Napoli. Inter’s solid defence was near compromised when Nagatomo done a Nagatomo and sent a weak pass in Handanovic’s direction. Thankfully he was alert and just beat Callejon to it in what, had he got onto it, was a glaring opportunity for Napoli to get back into it.
Napoli lacked commitment and inspiration throughout the game despite dominating large spells, nothing was working for them while our team grew and put in a performance of very few faults. There were no individuals tonight for the nerazzurri, everyone worked for one another. From the back forward we were immense even when not in total control of proceedings and it was easily up there with our better performances of the season. We can still dream of Champions League being a reality next term with that result. We just need to continue playing like that in the remaining handful of games.
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