Napoli-Inter, for Inzaghi the glass is half full. But with Liverpool …

The regret for a missed victory that smacks of overtaking AC Milan despite the fact that it will remain a match to be recovered or the satisfaction of having kept Napoli behind and avoided a second consecutive knockout in the league that would have made the approach to Liverpool very heavy? Inter would hardly have time to ask themselves certain questions because one of the 2-3 strongest teams in the world arrives at San Siro on Wednesday and a Champions League feat will be needed. But the 1-1 at Napoli still left important indications.

Push, reaction and timing

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Against a Napoli pushed by the public and by the recovery of the Koulibaly totem, Inter went under immediately and then suffered the strains of the hosts and risked taking the second goal. Perhaps thanks to the precedent of the derby, Brozo and his teammates, however, did not play the first 45 ‘above the pace and came out at a distance. Of course, Dzeko’s goal at the beginning of the second half helped psychologically too, but then the team put their opponents under for long stretches, overturning the inertia in midfield and even on the flanks, with Dumfries and Perisic still among the best. It is true that 57.2% of ball possession resulted in a few scoring chances, but the Nerazzurri’s drive was impressive. Napoli has almost never managed to get out and Inter have shown that they have fuel in their legs to try to keep up with the crazy rhythms that Liverpool will impose on Wednesday. Having found a great Handanovic, the Italian champions also maintained their advantage in direct clashes and kept behind (without forgetting the recovery with Bologna) the opponent that many consider with the most complete squad. All without forgetting that now the calendar will go downhill, with Sassuolo, Genoa and Salernitana at the next three intersections. And Inzaghi for now has made the difference with the small ones, while in the 7 crosses with rivals Champions he is stuck on a success: in the first leg with Napoli.

Errors and exits

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However, the Maradona match also triggered some alarms. First of all in defense, with Skriniar and De Vrij who made too many mistakes in marking but also in some elementary supports. Elmas and Osimhen at the restart have forgiven, but Salah and Manè know how to be lethal and go straight to goal. Just as the Reds bring a very high and fierce pressing against which it will be essential to get the ball out well, also because then spaces would open in which to try to hurt the English. For a while, however, in Naples Brozovic was not the usual metronome, while Calhanoglu appeared for a long time in the indolent version of the Rossoneri years. Since the suspended Barella will be missing, Vidal will have to be humble and warrior, while avoiding certain entrances that cost dearly in Europe. And there in front, where Sanchez paws while Lautaro hasn’t scored for too long, a cynicism worthy of a sniper will be needed.