At the San Siro on Wednesday, Inter Milan defeated Napoli 1-0 thanks to a header from Edin Dzeko, ending the Serie A leaders' undefeated start to the year.
The Partenopei started 2023 in a lackluster manner after their closest rivals AC Milan defeated Salernitana away earlier in the day, cutting Napoli's advantage at the top to five points.
Federico Dimarco and Romelu Lukaku both wasted excellent first-half opportunities, so it was unfortunate for Inter that they were not in the lead at the break. But 10 minutes after halftime, Dzeko scored the game-winning goal with a strong nod, keeping Inter in fourth place while also vitally closing the gap on Napoli at the top to eight points in their pursuit of catching Luciano Spalletti's team.
Within four minutes, Inter could have taken the lead, but Dimarco could only miss after Lukaku found him at the back post. Dimarco's fellow wingback Matteo Darmian couldn't have performed any better, missing the target after fantastic teamwork between Lukaku and Dzeko put him up.
Prior to the interval, Lukaku had a wonderful opportunity to score, but he crazily shot the ball over as Inter failed to capitalize on their superior opportunities in the first 45 minutes. But they did succeed in the 56th minute when Dzeko powered a header past Alex Meret after Dimarco's precise cross from the left found him unmarked.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia almost scored an immediate equalizer before slamming into the side net. Giacomo Raspadori's ferocious effort in the final seconds stung Andre Onana's hands, but Inter held on despite the visitors' late bid for an equalizer.
NAPOLI FALTERS AS INTER GAIN GROUND.
Before the World Cup break, Napoli had an 11-game winning streak and looked like they would win the Serie A championship without a fight. However, they appeared to be a shell of that team in this situation, raising serious concerns about their ability to continue their previously raging title assault.
Inter outperformed Napoli, scoring 1.24 anticipated goals to Napoli's 0.96, and producing three Opta-defined "big opportunities" to only one for their rival. Before it's too late, Spalletti's team must quickly improve.
THE HERO, DZEKO
After squandering a number of first-half opportunities, Inter may have wondered if this would be a squandered opportunity to cut the lead to one goal, but 36-year-old Dzeko popped up with the winning goal to secure all three points.
The former Manchester City striker was merciless, converting his lone significant opportunity with a thunderous header while leading Inter with five touches in the opposing box.
OSIMHEN HAS THE DAY OFF.
With nine goals so far this season, Napoli attacker Victor Osimhen leads Serie A in goal scoring, but Inter's center backs did a great job of keeping him quiet.
The Nigerian international was given just 19 touches by Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni, and Francesco Acerbi, the fewest of the 22 starters and just half as many as Napoli goalkeeper Meret, who had 38.
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