The Nerazzurri, easy winners of La Salernitana (5-0) on Friday, have four points ahead of the Neapolitans and Rossoneri, before the last day of the first leg.

Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez congratulated by Serbian striker Edin Dzeko and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal after scoring the 4th goal against Salernitana on Serie A Matchday 18 on 19 December 2021 in Salerno Carlo Hermann AFP

In full confidence after two months of starting in the league, Inter thus confirms its current domination over Italian football and reinforces its ambitions to keep the scudetto acquired in May.

Before the irresistible rise of Simone Inzaghi's team (six wins in a row), Naples and Milan had been the main hosts of the first three months of Serie A. But the two teams were not spared by the injuries and were further reduced Sunday night to fight a bitter battle.

In addition to his pillar of defense Simon Kjaer, package for the rest of the season, Milan was deprived of Theo Hernandez, Rafael Leao, Ante Rebic and Davide Calabria, ill or injured.

Naples also has half of its holders in the infirmary: Victor Osimhen, Lorenzo Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui and Fabian Ruiz.

Spalletti broke new ground with Kevin Malcuit on the right side and Andrea Petagna starting for the first time at the top.

This did not prevent Napoli from starting strong by quickly finding the opening on a corner, thanks to a header from Eljif Elmas (5th).

The Macedonian midfielder of Naples, Eljif Elmas, opens the scoring against AC Milan, during the 18th matchday of Serie A, on December 19, 2021 at the San Siro Miguel Stadium MEDINA AFP

Spectacular turn of events

With Piotr Zielinski, Naples showed more quality in the middle to manage the ball, against a Milanese duo Kessié-Tonali beaten in the engagement and in the technical accuracy.

Milan put more intensity over time but the opportunities remained rare: Zlatan Ibrahimovic narrowly missed the frame of the head (18th), like Alessandro Florenzi from afar (34th).

It was not until the second half to see a first Rossonero shot on target (Ibrahimovic, 48th), but Naples managed rather well, even causing some fears in the Milanese by Pettagna, taken in extremis by Tomori (50th).

Swedish AC Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic during the Serie A Matchday 18 home match against Napoli on December 19, 2021 at San Siro Stadium MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

The entry into play of Olivier Giroud, back after almost a month of absence (thigh), was not enough to reverse the situation.

The Frenchman sent his head above (72nd) and was then the unfortunate protagonist of the final twist of this tense meeting: while Milan thought they had snatched the equalizer in the 90th minute, the VAR showered the joy of the tifosi Rossoneri signaling an offside from the French striker on the goal scored by Franck Kessié.

French AC Milan striker Olivier Giroud in Matchday 18 home match against Napoli on December 19, 2021 at San Siro Stadium MIGUEL MEDINA AFP

This decision will undoubtedly feed the discussions in the coming days in Italy.

Earlier today, Sassuolo put the brakes on Fiorentina (2-2), despite Viola striker Dusan Vlahovic's new goal.

With his 16th goal of the season, the Serbian consolidates his position as leader of the scorers classification.

With 33 goals in the calendar year 2021, before the last meeting of the year Wednesday against Verona, he also matches the performance achieved in 2020 by Cristiano Ronaldo with Juventus.

Only two players have done better in the history of the Italian Championship, but that was over 70 years ago.

© 2021 AFP