Napoli can now afford no less than six defeats in the last fourteen remaining days without losing their first place.

At this rate, he could land the third scudetto in his history by the end of April or the beginning of May, after the two from the Maradona era (1987, 1990).

Inter, extinguished four days after the debauchery of energy to dominate FC Porto (1-0) in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, broke down a quarter of an hour from the end on a strong strike from Riccardo Orsolini (76th), alone in front of André Onana after a failed recovery from Nerazzurro defender Danilo D'Ambrosio.

"We conceded a goal not to be taken. We are angry because, of course, we had just come from an exhausting match, but we clearly have to do better", railed Simone Inzaghi on Sky Sport.

The Renato-Dall'Ara stadium is confirmed as a complicated stadium for the Milanese coach.

It was already in Bologna that his Inter lost the title last season because of a surprise defeat in April (2-1) due to a big mistake by substitute goalkeeper Andrei Ionut Radu.

Inter were again often jostled by a good team from Bologna, who had already almost scored twice in the "insufficient" first period, according to Inzaghi, on a goal from Musa Barrow (12th) refused after intervention by the VAR for an off - game from a partner, then on a shot on the bar by Roberto Soriano (18th).

Romelu Lukaku then Edin Dzeko came up against goalkeeper Rossoblu in the second half in a match played on a soggy lawn.

Riccardo Orsolini, scorer in Bologna against Inter on February 26, 2023 © Alberto PIZZOLI / AFP

Bologna, crushed at the beginning of November by this same Inter (6-1) at San Siro, confirms its revival since mid-January and goes back to 7th place, near the European folding seats.

To the delight of his coach Thiago Motta: "I am proud to see the symbiosis that has been created around the team, to see the fans singing like this."

Inter can be joined in 2nd place by Roma (3rd) and AC Milan (4th), on the lookout for three points.

The Rossoneri, with the expected return to the cage of Mike Maignan after five months away from the field, welcome Sunday evening Atalanta Bergamo (6th).

The Giallorossi will travel to Cremonese on Tuesday, a red lantern still without a win.

© 2023 AFP