Napoli's remarkable 15-game unbeaten run in Serie A has finally come to an end after being defeated for the first-time ever in Serie A this season. The league leaders were denied the opportunity to add to their points tally following Wednesday night's 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the Guisseppe Meaza.
It was always going to be a tough contest for both sides and the tempo from the onset set the tone for what would turn out to be a feisty affair. Although chances were aplenty in the first half, neither of the sides was able to manage an opener in the first half. Both Federico Dimarco and Matteo Darmian had the best opportunities to put the hosts ahead but failed to hit the target whereas Napoli equally had a sniff at goal through Victor Oshimen.
The theme continued for the second half before the game defining moment arrived. In the 56th minute, Federico Dimarco sent a brilliant cross from the left into the Napoli penalty for Edin Dzeko to expertly guide home with his head for the game's only goal. Watch:
Breakthrough INTER!
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) January 4, 2023
Who else but Edin Džeko with the bullet header!
Huge goal! pic.twitter.com/GXwlhVkSXC
Prior to kick-off, Napoli were the last unbeaten team in Europe's top five leagues and the result has evidently changed the situation. Before the World Cup break, the Serie A leaders had won 11 matches in a row, scoring 27 goals and conceding nine. They still remain atop the table with 41 points after 16 outings - five points more than defending champions AC Milan.
