Eriksen's second-half strike earns Inter a point as they move a little closer to the league title. Conte's men were far from their best this evening but dug in to leave Naples with a share of the points. Handanovic's handling error from an Insigne cross had given Napoli a surprise lead, but they failed to hold on. A moment of real quality from Eriksen drew Inter level, but his powerful drive was the best effort they could muster in the second 45 minutes.
The game was full of tension, and with so much on the line, neither team gave up a yard. Seven yellow cards were shown in total, and Napoli have a good account of themselves, even with Osimhen having an off night. On another night, De Vrij and Lukaku could have had two goals each, but the latter was denied by the woodwork on two occasions. Inter are now nine points clear at the top, while Gattuso's side are fifth in the table and can still catch second-placed AC Milan before the campaign comes to a close.
That is all we have time for. Thanks for joining us. Goodbye!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+5'
FULL-TIME - NAPOLI 1-1 INTER.22:38
90'+5'
Hakimi is also shown a yellow card after pushing the Napoli defender.22:39
90'+4'
Manolas is shown a yellow card after reacting poorly to Hakimi's challenge.22:38
90'+1'
Bakayoko also gets a few minutes to impress, with Ruiz making way.22:35
90'+1'
Gattuso is taking no chances with Politano as he is replaced by Hysaj.22:35
90'+1'
Four minutes of stoppage time!22:34
90'
Conte's side cannot get into a rhythm at the minute. Every ball in the final third is going astray, and Napoli will have to really let their guard down to lose this match.22:34
88'
Mertens is also now in the book, and he will need to be careful for the remainder of this match.22:32
88'
Another change in midfield for Napoli as Zielinski makes way for Elmas.22:31
87'
Politano receives a yellow card after pulling Sanchez to the floor.22:31
86'
Insigne and Mertens are driving Napoli forward as they go in search of the match-winning goal. Their pace is causing Inter problems, and Conte's side have not managed to kick on since Eriksen's equaliser.22:30
84'
Eriksen's night is over as he is replaced by Gagliardini.22:28
83'
Napoli win a penalty after the referee judged that De Vrij had fouled Zielinski in the box. On first viewing, it looked an excellent tackle, and the referee agrees after consulting VAR and checking the pitch side monitor. 22:28
80'
Demme is the latest player to be booked for a poor challenge.22:24
75'
Conte also makes a change up front as Sanchez comes on in place of Martinez.22:20
74'
Gattuso may change his formation now as he replaces Osimhen with Mertens.22:17
72'
Into the final 20 minutes now, and subs could be what decides this match. Both teams are holding firm, and it may take some fresh legs to swing this game one way or the other.22:17
69'
Conte turns to his bench for some inspiration, as Perisic replaces Darmian.22:24
66'
Napoli are now the team dictating play and trying to force the tempo. Inter seem happy for them to do so, but they have not got Martinez or Lukaku on the ball enough in the second half.22:24
64'
CHANCE! Napoli nearly take the lead for the second time tonight, but Handanovic breathes a sigh of relief as the ball flies past his far post. Di Lorenzo's flick at the front post was nearly smashed home by Ruiz, but the midfielder failed to connect.22:09
63'
Darmian joins Koulibaly in the book after a poor challenge.22:09
57'
Six of the nine goals scored by Inter against Napoli in Serie A since 2016/17 have been netted by Martínez or Lukaku, with both players getting three each. They both have the opportunity to improve that record, with less than 30 minutes remaining.22:06
55'
WHAT A GOALLLL!!!! NAPOLI 1-1 INTER - Eriksen comes alive at the right moment to drag his team back into the contest. The Denmark international pounced after a clearance from the Napoli defence, and he met the ball with pace and power. His technique was inch-perfect, with the former Spurs man keeping his shot low to give Meret no chance. GAME ON!!
Napoli fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Mario Rui makes his way back onto the field of play.21:55
50'
Napoli have an injury to worry about as Mario Rui goes down following a clash of heads with Hakimi. The incident occurred as Inter were trying to score, and the Napoli physios are now on the field.21:54
48'
Inter have won each of their last 11 Serie A games, but they need to dig deep here tonight to improve that record. They have just over 45 minutes to do so!21:52
46'
We are back underway!21:48
Lukaku has looked a constant threat throughout the match, but Inter need to see a bit more from Eriksen and Martinez. Napoli will know they need another goal to have any chance of victory, with Inter the team dominating proceedings.21:42
Handanovic's own goal separates the two sides at the break, but Inter could and should be level in truth. Lukaku has hit the woodwork twice, while De Vrij has also wasted two glorious chances. Insigne's dangerous cross caused problems for Handanovic, whose save hit De Vrij before hitting him on the leg. To be fair to Inter, they responded well, but they have not been able to get past Meret, who was on hand to deny Barella at the end of the first half.21:41
45'+1'
HALF-TIME - NAPOLI 1-0 INTER.21:33
45'
SAVE!!! Meret comes to Napoli's rescue after stopping Barella in the box. Martinez had picked out his team-mate with a defence-splitting pass, but after a heavy touch, Meret dived at his feet to clear the danger.21:33
44'
One minute of stoppage time to come!21:32
42'
The goal seems to have woken Inter up, which it should have done. Hakimi and Darmian are pushing forward more from their defensive positions, and they are trying to overlap and create more space for the likes of Lukaku and Martinez.21:31
39'
CHANCE! Lukaku and De Vrij both go close to scoring, but it remains 1-0. Eriksen's free-kick was met by Lukaku, who flicked the ball onto the post before De Vrij pounced. The defender tried to spin and volley the rebound into the roof of the net, but he put too much power on his shot, and Inter continue to trail.21:36
38'
Koulibaly is the first man to be booked after chopping down Lukaku.21:26
36'
GOAAAALLLLLL - NAPOLI 1-0 INTER! The home side take the lead after a handling error from Handanovic at the near post. Inter gave the ball away on the edge of the box before Insigne got into a dangerous area and crossed towards the near post. Handanovic's view was blocked, and he was unable to adjust his body in time before the ball trickled into the bottom corner.
If Inter are to be successful this evening, then they will need to see more from Eriksen. The former Tottenham man has been quiet so far, and he has the ability to change the game in an instant!21:23
30'
It may have taken half an hour, but this game is warming up nicely. Napoli are trying to force Inter back into their own half, but the pace of Conte's team means they are threatening each time they counter. 21:18
28'
OFF THE BAR!!!! Lukaku is inches away from opening the scoring, but the woodwork denies him. From a corner, Brozovic picked up the ball at the back post and drilled a shot towards goal. Lukaku was in the way and decided to flick his boot at the ball, only to see his deflection rattle the bar. That was so close!21:17
25'
CLOSE! Napoli win a corner of their own, and Koulibaly threatens the Inter defence with a powerful header. The centre-back attacked the ball at the near post, but he failed to keep his effort under the crossbar.21:13
22'
OVER! Inter win a free-kick but fail to test Meret in the Napoli goal. De Vrij was able to latch onto the cross, but he got underneath the ball and headed over the crossbar as a result.21:10
20'
So much is riding on this game, and the players are certainly giving it their all. Both sides are flying into tackles, and the tempo is good!21:09
17'
Ruiz forces a save out of Handanovic, but the Inter keeper is not troubled by the effort, and it remains 0-0. Napoli worked the ball into a good position, but Ruiz's effort from outside the box lacked power.21:04
15'
After a lively start, Lukaku has barely had a touch in the last ten minutes, but Napoli cannot afford to switch off and give him any space.21:03
12'
Osimhen has not managed to find space inside the Inter box, but he is working tirelessly to get his team into the lead. His movement is causing the Inter defence problems, but Conte's three defenders have kept him under control for now.21:02
8'
Napoli are coming back into this match, and the battle in midfield is hotting up. With both teams playing five in the middle of the park, it could get scrappy for the next five or ten minutes.21:00
5'
As expected, Conte's side are dominating possession and looking to build out from the back. Lukaku and Martinez are looking lively already, but neither player has registered a shot on goal.21:00
3'
Napoli clear the set-piece and it remains 0-0. 20:51
2'
Inter win an early corner as Lukaku's pass for Martinez is intercepted.20:48
1'
We are underway! 20:46
The two teams are out on the field of play, and kick-off is moments away.20:44
Inter have won each of their three Serie A games against Napoli under Conte. The last time the Nerazzurri won four consecutive league encounters against the Partenopei was back in 2000.20:36
Gennaro Gattuso makes one change from the side that beat Sampdoria 2-0 last time out as Meret comes into the starting XI for Ospina. Barella, Hakimi and Martinez come into Conte's side, with Sensi, Young and Sanchez dropping to the bench. 20:35
SUBS: Roberto Gagliardini, Daniele Padelli, Alexis Sanchez, Ashley Young, Stefano Sensi, Ionut Radu, Ivan Perisic, Matias Vecino, Danilo D'Ambrosio, Andrea Ranocchia, Andrea Pinamonti.20:29
INTER (3-5-2): Samir Handanovic, Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni, Stefan de Vrij; Matteo Darmian, Christian Eriksen, Marcelo Brozovic, Nicolo Barella, Achraf Hakimi; Romelu Lukaku, Lautaro Martinez.20:28
SUBS: Nikita Contini, Hubert Dawid Idasiak, Karim Zedadka, Dries Mertens, Antonio Cioffi, Stanislav Lobotka, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Nikola Maksimovic, Elseid Hysaj, Amir Rrahmani, Eljif Elmas.20:27
NAPOLI (4-2-3-1): Alex Meret; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Kalidou Koulibaly, Kostas Manolas, Mario Rui; Fabian Ruiz, Diego Demme; Matteo Politano, Piotr Zielinski, Lorenzo Insigne; Victor Osimhen.20:26
Earlier today, AC Milan managed to sneak past Genoa and won 2-1. That means Inter are eight points clear at the top of the table ahead of kick-off, and another win would push them to within touching distance of the league title.20:25
This match has the potential to be a cracker, with both teams in superb form. Napoli have only lost one of their previous nine matches, while Inter are unbeaten in 11, winning nine on the bounce.20:21
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Serie A clash between Napoli and Inter. Antonio Conte's side will be looking to move closer to the title, while Napoli can still finish in the top four this season.20:15
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Diego Armando Maradona Città: Napoli Capienza: 60240 spettatori20:15
Napoli - Inter is a match of 31 day of the season Serie A 2020/2021. The match will be 18 april at 18:00 in the stadium Diego Armando Maradona in Napoli. Referee of Napoli - Inter will be Daniele Doveri with the help of Alessandro Costanzo e Sergio Ranghetti. At VAR there will be Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni.
Currently Napoli is 5° in the standings with 60 points (thanks of 19 wins, 3 draws and 9 defeats); while Inter is 1° in the standings with 75 points (thanks of 23 wins, 6 pareggi and 2 sconfitte). Napoli scored 66 goals and conceded 35; Inter scored 70 goals and conceded 28. The first leg Inter - Napoli was played on 16 december 2020 and it ended on a 1-0 score.
At home Napoli scored 31 points (10 wins, 1 draw and 3 losses). Away Inter scored 34 points (10 wins, 4 draws and 1 loss). Napoli in the last three matches of the season challenged Crotone, Juventus and Sampdori obtaining 6 points thanks to 2 wins, 0 draws and 1 loss. Inter in the last three matches of the season challenged Bologna, Sassuolo and Cagliari obtaining 9 points thanks to 3 wins, 0 draws and 0 losses. In the last match Napoli was against Sampdoria winning 0-2 while Inter was against Cagliari winning 1-0.
Napoli and Inter competed 149 times in the league. In the previous matches Napoli won 46 times, Inter won 67 times while the number of draw was 36.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Napoli-Inter You can see the live match Napoli-Inter here on Virgilio Sport starting 18:00 CET of 18 april. Discover who will broadcast live Napoli - Inter between Sky and Dazn.
