Napoli vs Inter Milan

As soon as I saw this game was on, I knew I had to watch and report on it. With me focussing lots on my A-Levels, match write-ups have been scarce, but hopefully as half term has just began, I'll be able to dish out a few more. Here's my match report on proceedings:

After all the pre-match music, which was accompanied with cheers, flares and a save the children campaign, the game got underway. The first chance of the game came around the five minute mark as a Mertens flick found Insigne who typically cut inside, laying off the ball to an onrushing Hamsik only for him to smash wide. A good start to the game by Napoli.

On a drizzly Saturday night in Naples, the clash of the titans, 1st vs 2nd, Napoli vs Inter Milan took place. A very highly anticipated game with Napoli, the only team in Europe's top 5 leagues to have a 100% record in the league, taking on an Inter side who have already won games against Roma and Milan. It was always going to be a highly contested game and it certainly didn't let anyone down.

Then after around 15 minutes of interchanging pressure from Inter and Napoli, the latter were presented with a glorious opportunity. As Raul Albiol brought the ball forward he played an inch perfect, line breaking ball to Callejon who cut it back to Hamsik only for Handanovic to make a decent save, however the rebound fell to Mertens but there was the Inter keeper to make a superb save from pretty much point blank range. Huge opportunity spawned by Napoli.

With only 10 minutes left of the half, the game was definitely lacking in clear cut chances, however one fell to Lorenzo Insigne as a beautiful ball from Hamsik is met by the Italians head, only for him to put it straight at Handanovic from around 8 yards out. Napoli will certainly be hoping they won't rue all their missed chances this game.

Soon after however Inter were presented with their own good opportunity as a lovely Perisic header found Valero, being played onside by a poorly positioned Koulibaly, who waited for the ball to drop and volleyed from just on the edge of the six yard area only for Pepe Reina to expertly tip over. The first real clear cut chance for Inter despite still having a decent amount of the ball.

Then came the half time whistle which brought an eventful half to an end. With presentable opportunities falling to both teams, it was a half only lacking in goals.

As we got the second half underway, witnessing the quickest ever foul from kickoff, it only took two minutes for Inter to carve out a glorious chance as after a stunning run from from Vecino, he played a lovely one-two with Icardi, took it round the keeper but there was Albiol to clear it away after a lovely little dink by Vecino. Despite replays showing it wouldn't have gone in, alot of credit should go to Vecino nonetheless for an incredible run to create the chance.

The next good opportunity came in the 65th minute as when Callejon squared it to Mertens, he looked almost set to score only for an excellent block by D'Ambrosio to deny him. However on replay, Insigne was making an excellent run to the left of Mertens and if only the Belgian looked up, we could've seen the opening goal.

Then around 15 minutes later, substitute Pitor Zielinski hit an absolute thunderbolt of a volley from about 25 yards out with Samir Handanovic parrying away. The Inter keeper definitely feeling fortunate that the volley wasn't either side of him as otherwise we could've easily seen a different outcome.

However, with 90 minutes on the clock, Napoli almost won it at the death after a glorious through ball found Mertens who was in and under pressure from Miranda, managed to get a shot away but for the outstretching arm of Handanovic to prevent the ball from going in. If Inter come out with a result, they'll definitely have their keeper Samir Handanovic to thank.

And Inter do come away with a result as the full-time whistle blows bringing applause from both sets of fans. Despite not getting any goals to rave about, in terms of a contest, it was exactly what we had hoped for with both Napoli and Inter really going for it, creating a great overall game.

MOTM: Antonio Candreva

Despite being subbed off in the 81st minute, Candreva rarely lost the ball and with consistently dangerous runs down the right flank he was always keeping the Napoli left back Ghoulam on his toes. While also tracking back and helping out defensivly, it was a very good all round performance from Candreva making him worthy of my Man of the Match.