Napoli push Inter to fourth in Serie A

Italy's 1-3 loss to Napoli in round 36 of Serie A put Inter at a disadvantage in the race for a ticket to the Champions League.

Five days after the Champions League semi-final second leg against Milan, coach Simone Inzaghi sat out several key players. Lautaro Martinez, Edin Dzeko, Marcelo Brozovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, Denzel Dumfries, Federico Dimarco and Francesco Acerbi all started on the bench, while Romelu Lukaku and Joaquin Correa started up front.

Inter's patchwork lineup made it difficult for them to start against Napoli. The new champions had no target, but they still dominated. In the 41st minute, the match reached a turning point. Gagliardini received a second yellow card and Inter had to play with one less man.

Gagliardini (left) was sent off in the 41st minute of the Napoli - Inter match on the evening of May 21. Photo: Ansa

Inter were completely outclassed from the start of the second half. The visitors only had 29% possession and four shots, while Napoli had 18. In the 67th minute, the new champions converted their advantage into a goal. Anguissa received a pass from Zielinski, then turned and volleyed beautifully into the Inter net.

Lukaku equalized in the 82nd minute. But Inter still collapsed under the pressure of the new champions. In the 85th minute, Di Lorenzo raised the score to 2-1 with a beautiful move. The Italian right-back curled the ball from outside the box, sending it into the top corner of the goal as goalkeeper Andre Onana looked on helplessly.

In the final minutes, Inter pressed high in search of an equalizer. But playing with one less player and a makeshift formation continued to cost them. In the 90+4 minute, Napoli stole the ball in the middle of the field and launched a two-on-one counterattack. Then, Gaetano's shot hit Onana and went into the goal, sealing a 3-1 victory.

Gaetano (left) celebrates scoring the winning goal for Napoli 3-1 on the evening of May 21. Photo: Reuters

The defeat to Napoli cost Inter their third place in Serie A. Simone Inzaghi's side have dropped to fourth with 66 points from 36 games, just two points ahead of fifth-placed Milan. If they do poorly against sixth-placed Atalanta and tenth-placed Torino in their final two games, Inter could lose their place in the top four.

Lazio moved into third place from Inter with a 1-0 win over Udinese. The Roma side now have 68 points from 36 games, two more than Inter. Juventus remain second on 69 points, but have played a game less. Napoli lead the way with 86 points.

Main events of the match Napoli 3-1 Inter.

On May 24, Inter will play the Italian Cup final against Fiorentina. On June 10, they will play the most important match of the season, the Champions League final against Man City in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Thanh Quy

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