Farris: "We saw the real Inter in the second half"

NAPLES – Massimiliano Farris felt Inter did enough to leave Naples with all three points after a dominant second-half display at the Stadio Maradona. 

The Nerazzurri found themselves chasing the game following Lorenzo Insigne's 7th-minute spot-kick but Edin Dzeko levelled matters soon after the restart with Inter then bossing most of the second period.

The assistant coach, standing in for the suspended Simone Inzaghi, was speaking to DAZN after the 1-1 draw in Naples.

"The second half says a lot about the sort of team we are. We were facing an uphill task and the early penalty could have sent the game down a different path because Napoli are an excellent side. But we played with courage and belief and moved the ball around really well. We showed what a great team we are in the second half and kept our opponents and the crowd quiet.

“We do feel a but of regret because we put Napoli under pressure and could have won it, but after the derby and winning in the Coppa Italia in midweek, a point is a decent return today. We're happy with our performance and this will further our self-belief."

Farris also commented on the contribution of Denzel Dumfries, who continues to go from strength to strength after his initial settling-in period.

“Sadly, foreign players get judged very quickly in Italy, but the boy has applied himself really well and worked hard day after day to learn the language, the tactics and to improve individually. He's a lad who plays with confidence and belief, besides his obvious physical prowess.”

Inzaghi's assistant went on to explain why the game turned in the second half.

“We'd planned to channel our play down the flanks but we struggled to do that in the first half. Our movement was better after the break and that opened up more space for our midfielders, [Nicolo] Barella and [Hakan] Calhanoglu, and gave them easier options. It ended up tiring out Napoli's midfielders more than ours.”