The Giuseppe Meazza stadium was the epicenter of Italian football, hosting a clash that lived up to every bit of its pre-match billing. In a fixture defined by tactical chess, high-octane drama, and a fiery return for Antonio Conte, Inter Milan and Napoli played out a pulsating 2-2 draw. While the headlines during the match centered on Conte’s dismissal from the touchline, the post-match praise belongs to Scott McTominay, whose clinical finishing ensured the points were shared in this high-stakes Serie A encounter.
Inter Strike Early Through Dimarco’s Precision
The atmosphere in Milan was electric as the league leaders sought to extend their dominance at the top of the table. Inter started with the characteristic swagger of champions, needing only nine minutes to dismantle the Napoli backline. The move was ignited by Marcus Thuram, whose intelligent holdup play drew defenders out of position. Thuram released the overlapping Federico Dimarco, who surged into the box and unleashed a blistering diagonal strike. The ball flew past goalkeeper Milinkovic-Savic, who could only watch as the Nerazzurri took a deserved early lead.
The McTominay Response And Tactical Parity
Rather than crumbling under the pressure of the San Siro crowd, Napoli showed the resilience that has become their trademark under Conte’s tutelage. The visitors began to find joy on the flanks, particularly through the industry of Eljif Elmas.
In the 26th minute, Napoli’s persistence was rewarded. Elmas embarked on a driving run down the left wing, beating his marker before delivering a low, inviting cross into the "corridor of uncertainty". Scott McTominay, showing a striker's instinct, timed his late run perfectly to tap the ball home from point-blank range, leaving Yann Sommer helpless. The goal leveled the score at 1-1 and set the stage for a second half fueled by tactical adjustments and rising tempers.
VAR Controversy And Conte’s Red Mist
The second half was a tighter affair, with both midfields battling for supremacy. However, the match exploded into controversy in the 72nd minute. Following a challenge by Amir Rrahmani on Henrikh Mkhitaryan inside the area, referee Daniele Doveri was called to the VAR monitor. After a brief review, a penalty was awarded to Inter—a decision that sent Antonio Conte into a frenzy.
The former Inter manager’s return to his old stomping ground took a dark turn as he protested the decision with extreme vehemence. After kicking a water bottle across the technical area in a fit of rage, Conte was shown a straight red card. As he was led through the tunnel, the tension on the pitch was at a breaking point. Undisturbed by the chaos, Hakan Calhanoglu stepped up to the spot. The Turkish maestro struck his penalty with precision, hitting the inside of the post before the ball settled in the net to give Inter a 2-1 lead in the 73rd minute.
McTominay To The Rescue As Napoli Dig Deep
With their manager watching from the dressing room and time running out, Napoli looked to their leaders on the pitch. Once again, it was the Scottish international McTominay who answered the call.
In the 81st minute, Noa Lang produced a moment of magic on the right wing, dancing past his defender to create space for a cutback. Scott McTominay displayed exceptional spatial awareness, drifting into a pocket of space near the penalty spot. He met the ball with a delicate, first-time finish that guided it into the corner of the net. The brace marked McTominay’s arrival as a true Serie A heavyweight and silenced the home supporters.
A Thrilling Stalemate With Title Implications
The final ten minutes were a frantic blur of end-to-end action. Both sides threw caution to the wind in search of a winner, but weary legs and desperate defending kept the scoreline level. When the final whistle blew, the 2-2 result felt like a fair reflection of a match where neither side deserved to lose.
This dramatic draw keeps Inter Milan at the summit of Serie A, holding a three-point lead over their cross-city rivals AC Milan. Napoli, meanwhile, remains firmly in the hunt for the Scudetto in third place. While Inter may feel aggrieved at dropping points at home, Napoli heads back to the south with a massive boost in confidence, proving they have the mental fortitude to fight back in the most hostile of environments.