Inter Milan 2-1 Napoli
A first half brace from Julio Cruz was enough to secure a win for Inter, and send them four points clear at the top of Serie A. A late strike from substitute Roberto Sosa offered some hope to the visitors, but that was as it remained.
A dominant display from the Nerazzurri saw them pick up a deserved win against Napoli, though there was a late scare from the visitors.
Inter were on the money from teh word go, and broke through in the 20th minute, when Zlatan Ibrahimovic drew the entire Napoli defence towards him before sliding the ball for Crus, who slipped it into the corner from 10 yards out.
The second came in the 35th minute, with Cruz once again finishing crisply after chesting the ball down.
That was as it remained for much of the game, though there were quite a few chances for the Nerazzurri to wrap it up.
Their failure meant that Napoli were always within sniffing distance, and the visitors did give themselves a late chance when a header from substitute Sosa nestled into the net.
However, an alerted Inter side kept their heads about them and saw out the final six minutes and injury time to secure full points, and go four clear at the top.
First Half
This was the first meeting of these clubs at the San Siro since 2000. Inter have been on a roll as of late winning 4-1 at Roma and 2-0 in the Champions League over PSV. The game was considered a high risk for violence by authorities and only a small group of Napoli supporters made their way to Milan.
Early into the match Ibrahimovic found himself open at the top of the box as a result of some good ball movement but his effort was well over the bar.
Napoli’s first opportunity came on the 14th minute, as the defence interrupted an Inter rush and on the counter attack a dangerous ball played I for Zalayeta was cleared last second by Chivu.
The early pressure for Inter paid off as Ibrahimovic was on the receiving end of a long ball played by Julio Cruz. Zlatan cut across the area to slide a pass past three defenders to find the unmarked Cruz who easily put the ball into the near post.
Minutes later Marek Hamsik had a shot easily saved by Julio Cesar. Inter continued to dominate play and a wonderful Ibrahimovic back heel flick on to Cruz sent him in on the goalkeeper only to have the shot stopped.
Lavezzi was by far the most dangerous player for Napoli as he dribbled past his defender to bring out a save from Julio Cesar.
Cruz again was on target in the 36th minute as he beat the offside trap to chest down a Stankovic long ball and fire a left shot into the far corner just inside the box.
Inter was running rampant now, and Cruz missed his chance at a hat trick when he received a through ball but his shot missed just inches wide of the post.
Ibrahimovic wasted a great lob over the defence as he was stooped by a stunning one hand save by goalkeeper Iezzo.
Second Half
Chivu made way for Maxwell at half time. Lavezzi continued where he left off and setup Bogliacino only to have him float one on net which was easily saved by Julio Cesar.
The Inter goalkeeper had to be on his toes as a Gargano chip came into the box but Julio Cesar did well to punch it out.
It seemed Inter were content with the scoreline and only looking for the counter attack. On the 65th minute Ibrahimovic shook off a couple defenders but his effort missed the far post. Napoli kept pushing forward and earned a free kick from 30 metres out only to have Domizzi whistle it past the post.
Some brilliant 2 way movement from Figo and Ibrahimovic found second half substitute David Suazo alone in front of goal, but his effort from 6 yards amazingly missed the net.
More pressure from Inter on the counter attack and another Inter sub, Nicolas Burdisso, headed a cross from Cesar just past the far post.
It was Napoli’s substitute Roberto Sosa who made things interesting as he connected on a free header inside the box to make the score 2-1 with 6 minutes remaining.
The game got a little chippy in injury time as Inter continued to maintain possession resulting in Contini getting booked for a harsh foul on David Suazo.
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