Those three points would have protected the place of Napoli at the top of the rankings, which illuminates the pressure for their final competitions and, more importantly, avoid the risk of a Scudetto Playoff match, a solution that would feel like a cruel turn for the Azzurri.
Instead, the title of Int has been revived. While Simone Inzaghi and his players are mainly focused on the Champions League, this turn adds new intrigues in the competition. Inzaghi has done another miracle.
Achieving the Champions League final, against richer, more powerful opponents, has been proof of his tactical intelligence, thorough preparation and relentless focus.
During the weekend, Inter remained sharp in his own country and achieved a 2-0 win in Turin thanks to goals from Nicola Zalewski and Kristjan Asllani. Zalewski, on loan from Roma, where the atmosphere had become hostile, quickly expressed a key role for itself. His amazing goal broke the impasse and Asllani sealed the game with a good content.
At the worst time
The efficiency of Inter, the maximum result, the minimum effort, has exert extra pressure on Napoli. Conte's team, which felt the weight of being competition leaders, stumbled at the worst possible moment.
Playing at home, Napoli got the chance to take a decisive step in the direction of the Scudetto. With their fans behind them, the path to a title celebration within a few weeks seemed within reach. But Patrick Vieira's Genoa had other plans.
Although he went behind to Romelu Lukaku's 13th Serie A-target of the season, founded by the always reliable Scott McTominay, Genoa is the same in the 32nd minute, thanks to a cruel own goal by Alex Meret after a deflection. Napoli replied and Jack Raspadori, who was leaving in January, restored the leadership with a brilliant goal that showed his characteristic movement and finish.
His celebration, for the supporters of the home, had all the emotion of a title clinic moment.
But again, Vásquez said “no.” The Genoa defender rose among the defenders of Napoli and sent a header in the corner, past the range of meret. Despite the furious attempts by Napoli, a total of 22 shots, 11 on goal, compared to the only two of Genoa (plus a hit -dwarsbalk with Pinamonti), the game ended 2-2. A cruel result, on paper and in emotion.
Risk a disaster
Napoli can no longer afford slip-ups. Blowing the scudetto after taking the lead would be a disaster. They are currently one point ahead, with two more games left to defend their position. The goal is clear and should not be missed. In the meantime, at the end of the season, rumors continue to swallow possible departure, with Max Allegri being driven as a potential successor.
Yet the coach insists that his focus is exclusively on completing this campaign. The players must also block the sound. Inter shows, even during the juggling of Champions League tasks, no signs of relaxing. With rotations and plow they have kept pace, which proves their seriousness.
Next weekend Inter is opposite Lazio while Napoli Parma is accepting. Napoli has the easier fixed value on paper, but paper means nothing at this stage. A final sprint is needed. For Napoli it is now or never.