False start for the league leaders: SSC Napoli lost in the first game after the World Cup break in Serie A against Inter Milan.
Luciano Spalletti’s team lost for the first time this season on Wednesday evening but remain top of the table. Man of the day was Inter Milan’s Edin Dzeko, who scored the golden goal with a powerful header (56th minute).
In the previous fifteen games, Napoli had only drawn twice and otherwise won all games. With the win, Inter Milan will probably also have the chance to play a role in the title race and are only eight points behind the Neapolitans in fourth place. The success for the “Nerazzurri” was ultimately deserved, even if goalkeeper André Onana had to use all his skills to stop a Giacomo Raspadori shot in added time.
Milan narrowly wins against Salernitana
Italy’s football champions AC Milan, on the other hand, had a perfect start to the new year. After the almost two-month World Cup and winter break, coach Stefano Pioli’s team won 2-1 (2-0) at US Salernitana.
With 36 points, the Lombards secured second place, the gap to leaders SSC Napoli is now only five points.
Portuguese world championship driver Rafael Leao (10th minute) and Sandro Tonali (15th) gave Milan an early lead. Mexico international goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was not innocent in both goals. Federico Bonazzoli (83rd) could only shorten for the hosts.
Juventus Turin tries, but wins late
Record champions Juventus Turin meanwhile struggled to a 1-0 (0-0) at penultimate US Cremonese. Arkadiusz Milik scored for third place (34) with a free kick in injury time (90 + 1).
Sampdoria beats Sassuolo
In the second “early” game, Sassuolo lost 2-1 (0-2) to Sampdoria Genoa with former Dortmund and Hoffenheim player Jeremy Toljan in the starting XI. Manolo Gabbiadini (25′) and Tommaso Augello (28′) scored the goals for Genoa – the club clinched three important points in the relegation battle. Domenico Berardi could only shorten (64th).