Napoli score late double to down 10-man Inter in Serie A
While nobody could blame Inter for having one eye on their first Champions League final for 13 years next month, they defended like a side knowing there was still work to do in the top-four race.
Champions Napoli, by contrast, played with a freedom that saw them dominate both the ball and first-half chances, with Andre Zambo Anguissa blasting a 20-yard effort just wide before Victor Osimhen headed straight at Andre Onana.
A red card for Inter midfielder Roberto Gagliardini on the stroke of half-time gave an already superior Napoli yet more impetus and Di Lorenzo’s well-struck effort forced Onana into further action just minutes after the interval.
The visitors’ resilience was initially impressive, and after appearing to regain a foothold, Simone Inzaghi brought on fresh reinforcements just before the hour mark. However, the waves of blue continued to crash on Inter’s defence.
It was unsurprising when the pressure eventually told. with Anguissa finding the breakthrough for his side after turning on a sixpence and rocketing an effort into the net from 12 yards.
A 10-man Inter side never relented however, and found an unlikely equaliser through talisman Romelu Lukaku, who pulled in front of Juan Jesus to stab home in front of a stunned home faithful.
But Napoli, clearly frustrated by Inter’s late resurgence, were not about to see the points shared and struck a late double to down their 10-man visitors. Firstly through Captain Di Lorenzo’s superb left-footed effort into the top corner, before Gianluca Gaetano grabbed his first Napoli goal to wrap the points up with just seconds remaining.
Naturally, Inter will have their minds on other matters with Champions League qualification still in their hands and a huge final on the horizon, but they'll still wonder what could have been if not for the red card.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)
