Post-Match Analysis: Napoli 3‑1 Inter Milan — Serie A Round 8 (Home: Napoli)

In Round 8 of the 2025‑2026 Serie A season, Napoli secured a 3‑1 victory over Inter Milan at home, ending Inter’s seven-match winning streak and temporarily placing Napoli at the top of the table.

Refereeing Controversy: First Goal Penalty

In the 34th minute, Napoli’s Di Lorenzo was awarded a penalty in the box, and De Bruyne converted it to give Napoli a 1‑0 lead. However, the decision sparked widespread debate.

Post-Match Opinion: “The referee’s decision was a serious mistake, and Inter Milan is understandably upset.” — Gazzetta Dello Sport

Video analysis suggests that although Di Lorenzo’s actions involved some contact, the penalty did not meet the clear-cut standard typically required for such a call. This decision shifted the momentum in Napoli’s favor and disrupted Inter’s tactical setup. Had the penalty not been given, the match could have unfolded differently.

Statistics: Control and Offensive Opportunities

Team	Possession	Shots	On Target	Pass Completion
Napoli	54%	12	6	84%
Inter Milan	46%	9	4	79%

Despite Inter creating moments of threat, including hitting the post twice, they struggled with possession control and passing accuracy, which impacted their ability to convert attacks effectively.

Under-Performing Players

Post-match ratings reveal that several Inter Milan players performed below expectations:

• Acerbi: Rating of 4, the lowest. He was exposed defensively, especially when Napoli counter-attacked, showing a lack of pace and positioning.
• Sommer: Rating of 5. The goalkeeper did not provide the stability his defense needed, failing to make crucial saves at key moments.
• Akanji: Rating of 5. His defensive positioning was inadequate, and he was unable to halt Napoli’s fast breaks.
• Lautaro Martínez: Rating of 5. Despite getting into good positions, Lautaro missed two golden opportunities to score.

Tactical Analysis: Napoli Dominate at Home, Inter Vulnerable in Defense

After Napoli’s penalty, they quickly regained control of the match. Inter did create chances – hitting the post twice – but struggled to impose their rhythm. In the 54th minute, Napoli extended their lead to 2‑0 through McTominay’s strike. Inter pulled one back at 60′ with a penalty converted by Çalhanoğlu, but Napoli sealed the win at 67′ through Anguissa.

Key Tactical Point: Napoli demonstrated excellent counter-attacking play, especially on the flanks, where they exploited Inter’s defensive weaknesses. Inter’s high press was bypassed too easily, and once Napoli broke through, their defense lacked the resilience to recover.

Conclusion: Napoli Show Maturity, Inter Must Adjust

This victory was not only a boost for Napoli’s points tally but also showed their ability to execute in key moments. In contrast, Inter Milan needs to address several areas. Their veteran players, particularly Acerbi, showed signs of age, and Lautaro’s finishing needs improvement. Napoli controlled the match after taking the lead, while Inter struggled to recover when the match tilted in favor of their opponents. To challenge for the title, Inter must improve their mental resilience and tactical response, particularly against controversial decisions and in high-pressure moments.