First Handanovic’s own goal then Eriksen Campani’s reply close to the Champions zone, the Nerazzurri now at +9
NAPLES
Inter’s record streak ends at 11 victories and is stopped by Napoli on a draw. Conte’s team keeps nine points over Milan, Napoli is -2 from fourth place. In the first half, the Azzurri keep possession of the ball more than their opponents. The pace is low and the leaders, who stood out only for a chipped crossbar from Lukaku, served in the penalty area by a free kick from Brozovic, comes alive after Handanovic’s own goal, in the 36th minute. The initiative is from Insigne who frees himself on the left wing of the pitch and places the ball in the center at half height, in front of Inter’s goal. Handanovic launches and blocks the ball but De Vrij bursts into him and touches him with his leg, makes him lose his grip and causes a sensational own goal by the goalkeeper.
Inter poured into attack and created two clear chances to equalize, first with Lukaku who deflected a pass from Eriksen’s free-kick to the post and then with Barella who, launched into the area by Martinez, was preceded by Meret out. In the second half, Inter soon found equal. It is 9 ‘when Manolas deflects a pass to the center of the area by Darmian which Eriksen bursts into and punches from the edge with a diagonal left slash. At this point the match becomes more balanced and the game takes place mainly in midfield without the two teams being able to create big scoring chances, except with Politano who hit the intersection of the posts with a diagonal shot in the 35 ‘. an insistent dribbling. In the final minutes the game is controlled in midfield by both teams, demonstrating that the final result is pleasing to both. Inter are closer to the Scudetto and Napoli to the Champions League area which they can continue to aim for in the final of the season. –