Inter (2nd) did not go beyond a goalless draw on their trip to Genoa to play against Sampdoria (19th), a result that makes Napoli more of a leader, this Monday at the close of matchday 22 of Serie A.
Fifteen points already separate Napoli from Inter (59 by 44), which also sees how their pursuers, Atalanta, Roma and Milan are only three points away (41).
“I still say that we can only look at ourselves,” Inter coach Simone Inzaghi told after the game.l be asked about the title race.
“We are not satisfied with the result,” he added.
The ‘Nerazzurri’ team dominated the match, but found themselves up against an immense match from Emil Audero, with five key saves to keep Sampdoria’s goal clean, including one at discount (90+2) from Francesco Acerbi’s left-footed shot from 25 meters that the goalkeeper deflected just enough for the ball to crash into the wood.
The scenario seems to repeat itself for Inter compared to last season, when in the second part of the course he was unable to keep up with the then leader Milan, who would end up winning the ‘Scudetto’.
Napoli, who once again proved intractable this day, defeating Cremonese 3-0, It seems closer than ever to its third title, the first after the two won by the team led by Diego Maradona in 1987 and 1990.
– I remember victims of the earthquake –
In the last decade, Napoli finished runner-up four times (2013, 2016, 2018 and 2019), but never until now could he lift the trophy.
The match in Genoa was also marked by a banner in memory of the 35,000 people who died in the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Inter’s Turkish international Hakan Calhanoglu pHe appeared emotional and displayed a “Pray for Turkey” T-shirt during the warm-up.
“I want to thank my teammates, the fans and the club for their support at this time. We are trying to help the country however we can. The images that we have seen hurt, but life goes on and I hope that people can get out of this situation as soon as possible,” said the 29-year-old striker.
The point achieved does not leave Sampdoria satisfied either, that saw how in the other match on Monday Hellas Verona (18th), a direct rival for permanence, defeated Salernitana (16th) 1-0.
The Genoa team is 8 points away from salvation, that currently marks La Spezia.
It was not a good day for the teams from the Ligurian capital, as Genoa, now in Serie B, was sanctioned with the withdrawal of a point for non-payment of taxes, reported the Italian Football Federation (FIGN).
Genoa currently occupies second place in Serie B with 42 points, 12 behind leader Frosinone.
