Serie A: Napoli remains top of the log after a draw with Inter

Napoli secured a valuable point at the San Siro after playing a 1-1 draw against the defending Inter Milan.

The hosts came from behind and had an opportunity to finally turn it around through Hakan Calhanoglu who restored parity for the hosts but his spot kick hit the bar, making him to lose his hundred percent record from the penalty spot in Inter shirt. 

The results leave Pertonopei at the top of the league standings with 25 points, leading the top four (Atalanta, Lazio, and Fiorentina) by a point.

Scott McTominay had put the visitors ahead but Calhanoglu scored a ferocious long-range strike to cancel the opener.

The first real chance came Napoli’s way as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia tested Yann Sommer while  Nicolò Barella’s first-time effort drifted just wide.

Napoli eventually went ahead on a set play routine as Amir Rrahmani flicked on the corner at the near post and McTominay got in front of Denzel Dumfries to tap in from point-blank range.

 Calhanoglu’s misplaced pass almost gifted Napoli another goal. Lukaku sent Kvaratskhelia clear, but Inter got saved by a desperate Acerbi sliding tackle that prevented the tap-in.

 Acerbi almost restored parity for the hosts Barella released a pass to him but his angled drive was parried by Alex Meret’s feet at the near post.

Inter eventually restored parity just before half-time with a ferocious strike from distance by Calhanoglu that swerved and dipped. The shot has a lot of power, which pushed Meret’s glove back as it flew into the far top corner.

Inter began to search for the lead and probably a winner but Martinez’s attempted back-heel flick in the second half was charged down by Matias Olivera, while Federico Dimarco’s snooker shot from the edge of the box clipped the outside of the upright.

Dimarco again put Meret into action at the near post until Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa grazed Dumfries on the ankle inside the box for a penalty. Despite the contact being minimal, it was enough to ensure VAR and the referee awarded a penalty. However, Calhanoglu fired it onto the base of the upright to record his first penalty miss from the 18 converted in the Inter jersey.

As they hold on to secure a point that would make them remain the league leaders heading into the international break, the Naples club had an opportunity in the 93rd minute to secure a memorable win but Giovanni Simeone failed to wrap his legs, firing over Cyril Ngoge’s pullback.