Inter were held 2-2 by Napoli after twice taking the lead; Federico Dimarco and a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty put the hosts ahead, but Scott McTominay twice salvaged a draw. Betting angle: expect both teams to score in future Inter 'big match' markets and consider Napoli in comeback or draw‑no‑bet lines; punters may also favour under/over markets near 2.5–3 goals in tight Serie A clashes.
Inter 2-2 Napoli — Chivu laments missed chances as title race tightens
Inter twice went in front at San Siro but were pegged back by a resilient Napoli side, with Federico Dimarco firing the hosts ahead and Hakan Calhanoglu converting a penalty. Scott McTominay struck twice to secure a 2-2 draw, leaving Cristian Chivu rueing opportunities lost as the Scudetto battle grows more congested.
Match summary and key moments
Dimarco opened the scoring with a well-angled drive that put Inter in front, and later Calhanoglu coolly slotted a spot‑kick to restore their lead. Napoli, however, refused to lie down: McTominay pulled one back and then levelled again to snatch a share of the spoils. The contest was end-to-end at times and ultimately reflected two teams pushing for full control.
Tactical takeaways
Chivu praised the intensity and determination shown by both sides but admitted Inter suffered when they over-committed going forward, leaving gaps for Napoli to exploit. Napoli's short‑pass combinations, particularly involving McTominay and Lobotka, created space for men like Politano and Elmas on the flanks. Inter adjusted during the game and enjoyed longer spells of possession, but lapses in pressing and decision-making proved costly.
Implications for the title race
The draw keeps Inter top but narrows the margin: they retain a three-point lead over Milan and sit four clear of Napoli, while Juventus and Roma are closing. Chivu warned this is likely "four or five teams" fighting to the end, with several clubs still holding games in hand—a scenario that promises a tight, unpredictable run‑in.
Form and big-game record
This result marks Inter's first Serie A draw under Chivu this season after 14 wins and four defeats. It also underlines a longer trend: the club has not beaten Napoli, Milan or Juventus in any of the last 14 competitive meetings, managing seven draws and seven losses across those fixtures.
Betting outlook
From a betting perspective, markets that assume goals at both ends look attractive given the comeback nature of this game. Both Teams to Score and match-goal lines between 2.5 and 3 goals are sensible alternatives. Inter’s tendency to be exposed in big matches makes draw-no-bet or double‑chance options worth considering for cautious punters, while Napoli’s resilience suggests value on comeback-related prop markets.
McTominay: ‘Napoli don’t give up, imagine Inter without top stars’
Cristian Chivu saw ‘two strong teams who did everything to win’ so the 2-2 draw between Inter and Napoli was ultimately fair. ‘It’s four or five teams for the Scudetto, a fight to the end.’T...
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