Lukaku and Lautaro light up the San Paolo as Inter beat Napoli 3 - 1

NAPOLI - A curse broken, goals scored and hugs aplenty. The Nerazzurri enjoyed a fantastic start to 2020 by beating Napoli 3-1 on Monday evening, securing what was their first win at the San Paolo since October 1997. Back then it was Fabio Galante who scored the decisive goal, while this evening it was the unstoppable duo of Romelu Lukaku and Lautaro Martinez who made the difference. These are three crucial points that move Inter back top alongside Juventus on a tally of 45, with the Nerazzurri now set to turn their attention to Saturday’s test against Atalanta - one that Inter will face without Barella and Skriniar who are both suspended.

As for this evening’s match, the visitors followed Antonio Conte’s instructions right from the off - demonstrating both focus and solidity throughout. The positive start to the match paid dividends early on thanks to a brace from Lukaku, goals scored through a combination of both power and precision. This was matched by the guile of Lautaro Martinez, saves from Samir Handanovic and superb defending from de Vrij, however, it was a collective team effort to secure what was our eighth away league win of the season. 

It was a blistering start to the match from Inter, with Romelu Lukaku rounding Meret after 111 seconds and having a chance cleared off the line from Mario Rui. This fluid and attacking style was also matched by the hosts, who sought to threaten on the counter. In total, there were five chances during the first 11 minutes - with Milik and Insigne missing out for Napoli, while Lukaku and Lautaro came close for the Nerazzurri. 

And Inter did indeed come up strong, thanks above all to the explosive Romelu Lukaku as he opened the scoring in the 14th minute. A surging run as the Nerazzurri won the ball back off Di Lorenzo’s slip: our number 9 carrying the ball all the way from the halfway line before finding space with a stepover and firing one in off the post to make it 1-0.  In a devastating mood, the Belgian was the scorer of our first goal of 2020 having closed off 2019 with two goals. It wasn’t long before his brace came tonight, slamming a second past Meret who misread the shot to let it fall into the net. Napoli failed to truly threaten before this goal, which looked inevitable as both Vecino and Lautaro tested the Napoli goalkeeper in the minutes before Inter’s second. Although Meret perhaps should have done better, statistics showed an extraordinary speed of 111 km/h for Romelu’s strike off his left to make it 2-0.

Napoli’s response did come as the side were driven on by their home crowd. Insigne forced a great save from Handanovic, then it was Milik who came up with a goal as he tapped home Callejon’s cross to make it 2-1.

Inter took a less aggressive approach after the interval and allowed Napoli more space to play, however, Handanovic was never really in any danger. It was then down to the skill and speed of Lautaro Martinez come the 62nd minute, as he capitalised on a cross from Vecino to stab the ball past Meret. This proved to be a crucial goal for the visitors, while also forcing Gattuso to go all out attack. Zielinski and Insigne tried hard to inspire up top, although Handanovic did well to keep out the Polish midfielder in the 87th minute. As the game entered its latter stages, both Barella and Sensi entered the fray, providing fresh legs as the Nerazzurri battled hard.

Ultimately, the final whistle went with Conte’s side able to celebrate a crucial win. However, attention will now turn swiftly to Saturday’s match against Atalanta, in what will be the Nerazzurri’s next step on their splendid campaign so far.

NAPOLI 1-3 INTERNAPOLI (4-3-3): 1 Meret; 23 Hysaj (11 Lozano 81'), 22 Di Lorenzo, 44 Manolas 6 Mario Rui; 8 Fabian Ruiz (9 Llorente 84'), 5 Allan, 20 Zielinski; 7 Callejon, 99 Milik, 24 Insigne.Substitutes: 25 Ospina, 27 Karnezis, 12 Elmas, 13 Luperto, 34 Younes, 62 Tonelli, 70 Gaetano, 98 Leandro.Coach: Gennaro Gattuso.

INTER (3-5-2): 1 Handanovic; 37 Skriniar, 6 de Vrij, 95 Bastoni; 87 Candreva, 8 Vecino (12 Sensi 73'), 77 Brozovic, 5 Gagliardini (23 Barella 56'), 34 Biraghi; 9 Lukaku (20 Borja Valero 88'), 10 Lautaro.Substitutes: 27 Padelli, 46 Berni, 2 Godin, 7 Sanchez, 13 Ranocchia, 16 Politano, 19 Lazaro, 21 Dimarco, 30 Esposito.Coach: Antonio Conte.

Goalscorers: 14' and 33' Lukaku (I), 39' Milik (N), 62' Lautaro (I).Bookings: Candreva (I), Barella (I), Esposito (I), Sensi (I), Skriniar (I).Notes: Antonio Conte booked. Added time: 1', 4'.

Referee: Doveri.Assistants: Passeri, Del Giovane.Fourth official: Fabbri.VAR and VAR Assistants: Calvarese, Giallatini.