Napoli 2-2 » Crazy match in Milan and Chivu registers the first draw of the season in Serie A
Article by Dragoș Petrescu – Published Sunday, January 11, 2026 23:45 / Updated Monday, January 12, 2026 00:29
Inter and Naples they drew Giuseppe Meazza 2-2 in the most anticipated duel of the round with #20 Serie A, and so Chivu's side maintain their three-point lead at the top of the Italian table.
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Today's result is the first draw recorded by Inter this season in Serie A. Until the match against Napoli, the Milan outfit had registered 14 wins and 4 defeats in the championship.
The complete schedule of round #20 in Serie A
The first important scoring chance of the game came in the 5th minute and belonged to the Neapolitans. Thrown deep, Rasmus Hojlund took Sommer on target in a one-on-one situation. However, even if he had scored, his success would have been canceled as the Dane went offside.
Inter opened the scoring in the first dangerous action, but the champions fought back until the break
The team that unlocked the table, however, was Chivu's band. In the 9th minute of the meeting, Piotr Zielinski managed a recovery in midfield, dispossessing Scott McTominay, and then the Nerazzurri launched a counterattack that destabilized Napoli's defense.
The ball came into Marcus Thuram's possession, he extended to Dimarco, and the Italian footballer executed Milinkovic-Savic with a strong shot sent to the long corner from the left side of the box.
Immediately after scoring the goal, Inter continued to attack, trying to take advantage of the shock felt by Conte's students, but the defense of the “ciucciarellis” resisted.
What's more, the champion of Italy managed to restore equality, thanks to the success signed by Scott McTominay, the “MVP” of last season in Serie A, in the 26th minute of the game.
Following an action on the left flank, the ball reached Eljif Elmas. He crossed in the area of the small box and the Scottish midfielder resumed in Sommer's goal, after taking Manuel Akanji's face.
Afterwards, the two teams tried to score the second goal, but both pretenders to win the “scudetto” wasted the chances they created in the opposing box.
Marcus Thuram missed the home side's biggest chance, while Politano gave Chivu's side plenty of excitement in the closing stages when his cross for Hojlund, who was in an ideal finishing position, was denied at the last minute.
Thus, the two teams tied at the cabins, score 1-1.
The start of the second act found Napoli on the offensive, and just three minutes after the restart, the same Hojlund was extremely close to putting the Neapolitans ahead.
The former Manchester United striker took advantage of the passivity of Inter's centre-backs and broke away alone towards Sommer's goal, but his shot went just wide of the Swiss keeper's legs.
Chivu was again inspired with the changes, but McTominay was at his mercy
However, it was Chivu's students who managed to score the second goal of the game. The Romanian coach again proved highly inspired in terms of the changes made, as second-half substitute Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored the penalty that put Inter back in front.
In the 69th minute, the 36-year-old veteran was fouled in the visitors' box by Amir Rrahmani, and after reviewing the phase on the VAR monitor, “central” Daniele Doveri dictated a shot from 11 meters for Chivu's team. It was Hakan Calhanoglu who executed from the spot, the Turk narrowly managing to beat Milinkovic-Savic as the ball hit the crossbar before entering the goal.
Left without Antonio Conte on the technical bench, the Italian being eliminated following the protests at the penalty phase, Napoli did not give in and managed to save a point in Milan. The same Scott McTominay scored in Sommer's goal (81'), after a ball centered in the area of the small box by newcomer Noa Lang.
Even so, Inter had a chance to win in extra time, but Mkhitaryan's shot from the edge of the box hit the post of Milinkovic-Savic.
Following this result, the “nerazzurri” have accumulated 43 points and keep their seat at the top of Serie A, maintaining the distance of three lengths from Milan, the occupant of the 2nd place.
On the other hand, the Italian champion arrived at the post with number 39 and completes the podium.
In the next round of Serie A, Inter will receive the visit of Lecce, while Napoli will host Parma.
Serie A standings:
FINAL » Inter – Napoli 2-2
- Click HERE for statistics;
- They scored: F. Dimarco (9'), H. Calhanoglu (72' – penalty) / S. McTominay (27', 81');
- The 81st minute: 2-2! Scott McTominay made the “double” in Milan, after sending a ball centered by Noa Lang into Sommer's goal;
- The 72nd minute: 2-1 for Inter! Hakan Calhanoglu converted a shot from 11 meters, dictated by referee Daniele Doveri after a foul by Rrahmani on Mkhitaryan in his own box;
- The 71st minute: Antonio Conte was removed due to protests;
- The 27th minute: 1-1 in Milan! Napoli restored the tie, through Scott McTominay, after a cross from Elmas;
- Minute 9: 1-0 for Inter! Marcus Thuram served Dimarco perfectly and the left winger sent a powerful shot that stopped in the net of Milinkovic-Savic's goal.
Inter – Napoli » Starting teams:
INTER MILAN (3-5-2): Sommer – Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni – L. Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco – L. Martinez, Thuram
reserves: Calligaris, Taho – Acerbi, Augusto, Bonny, Cocchi, De Vrij, Diouf, Esposito, Frattesi, Mkhitaryan, Sucic
Coach: Cristi Chivu
NAPLES (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic – Beukema, Rrahmani, Jesus – Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola – Politano, Elmas – Hojlund
reserves: Contini, Meret – Ambrosino, Buongiorno, Gutierrez, Lang, Lucca, Marianucci, Mazzocchi, Olivera, Vergara
Coach: Antonio Conte
Stadium: Stadio Giuseppe Meazza (Milan)
Referee: Daniele Doveri
