Inter overcame reigning Serie A champions Napoli in a dominant 0-3 win at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday evening.
Coming off a dramatic Champions League comeback against Benfica mid-week and a Serie A match-up against Juventus in Turin the previous match-day, Inter traveled to Naples to face the reigning Scudetto Champions, Napoli for the first match of December. Inter lined up as follows (3-5-2): Sommer; Darmian, de Vrij, Acerbi; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.
Napoli, looking to record back-to-back Serie A wins, lined up as follows (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Østigård, Natan; Anguissa, Lobotka, Elmas; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
The match kicked off and in just the 2nd minute of play, Eljif Elmas fired a shot into the top right corner- already reeling away in celebration. Yann Sommer miraculously got a hand to it and prevented an early lead from the hosts. This was an early sign as the Swiss goalkeeper would go on to make several incredible saves throughout the match.
Unfortunately, Stefan de Vrij went down in the 18th minute. The Dutch defender was forced to exit the match, clutching what appeared to be his groin as he limped off the pitch and was replaced by Carlos Augusto. The Brazilian defender was deployed at centre-back, something he had not done since his Serie B days with Monza. Inter’s list of defensive injuries grows…
In the 35th minute, former Inter winger Matteo Politano cut in, shot from outside of the box and hammered the crossbar. Yann Sommer was, despite his incredible earlier save, unable to get a finger to it. Worrying signs for Inter as the champs continued to be dangerous on attack.
On the stroke of half-time, in the 44th minute, Federico Dimarco whipped a ball into the Napoli box that Denzel Dumfries headed down to Nicolò Barella just outside of the box, which Barella (barely) laid off for Hakan Çalhanoğlu to hit perfectly on the half-volley into the bottom left corner.
In the 61st minute, Lautaro Martínez received the ball deep in Napoli’s half. The Argentine put the ball into the opposing box where Nicolò Barella was crashing in, Barella took a touch past one Napoli player, weaved around another and was able to slot home for Inter’s second of the evening- and the Italian international’s first goal of the season.
Late in the match, in the 86th minute, substitute Juan Cuadrado whipped a low cross into the Napoli box and Marcus Thuram was able to get onto the end of it and find the back of the net. In true Adriano L’Imperatore fashion, the forward removed his shirt and started waving it around in celebration- an homage to a player Thuram has spoken about many times as one of his greatest footballing idols.
After an incredibly important win and a strong all-around performance, here is how we have rated the individual performance from Inter’s players.
Player Ratings
Yann Sommer – 8
Made several top saves and kept an important clean sheet- taking his total to 9 in 14 Serie A matches so far this season.
Matteo Darmian – 6
Solid performance and contributed to the clean sheet. Lost a few duels, though.
Stefan de Vrij – 5
Came off early into the match due to injury.
Francesco Acerbi – 6.5
Did extremely well to limit the attempts of Napoli’s Victor Osimhen. One of several top forwards that Acerbi has kept quiet in recent times.
Denzel Dumfries – 6
Did well on attack, but had trouble with dealing with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Got spun and nearly led to a goal being conceded. Exited the match with an injury.
Nicolò Barella – 8
Goal, assist and even a pre-assist in Inter’s third goal. Finally a performance that everyone knows the midfielder is capable of producing.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu – 7.5
A world-class finish and another massive performance. What a player.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 7
Ran the midfield, constantly on the attack and creating chances for Inter.
Marcus Thuram – 7.5
Another goal in a big game- a theme for him this season. Thuram is outdoing the expectations Inter fans had for him.
Lautaro Martínez (C) – 7
Wonderful vision on his assist to place the ball perfectly into Nicolò Barella’s path for his goal. A rare match without a goal for the Inter captain.
Substitutes
Carlos Augusto – 7
Entered the match as a replacement for the injured Stefan de Vrij and played as a centre-back in a back-3. Played outstandingly considering, made crucial tackles.
Davide Frattesi – 5
ONE touch in nearly 20 minutes of play…how?
Juan Cuadrado – 6
Fantastic assist for Inter’s third goal.
Marko Arnautović – 5
Entered late into the match and had no real impact.
Yann Bisseck – 5
Did not touch the ball once, got dribbled past once.
