ROME, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Napoli also tasted its first Serie A defeat this season, one day after AC Milan, as it fumbled a 1-0 lead, only to be overturned by Inter Milan 3-2 on Sunday.

Under the leadership of former Inter's coach Luciano Spalletti, Napoli had a perfect start to the new season, as it managed ten victories and two draws before Sunday's game, leading the table with 32 points alongside AC Milan, who suffered a 4-3 loss to Fiorentina on Saturday.

The away side had a more aggressive start and went ahead in the 17th minute, when Nicolo Barella was caught napping, Lorenzo Insigne charged forward and squared for Piotr Zielinski to drill home from the edge of the box.

Barella quickly atoned for his error minutes later, as the Italian international won a penalty, with Hakan Calhanoglu converting.

The Nerazzurri turned the game around before the break, when Ivan Perisic met Calhanoglu's corner to turn in a header, Napoli's goalkeeper David Ospina clawed it back after it practically crossed the line.

Inter extended the lead on the hour mark through a counter-attack, as Joaquin Correa dribbled across the field and his sensational pass found Lautaro Martinez who found the net with a daisy-cutter.

Napoli pulled one goal back in the 78th minute, as when Edin Dzeko was caught in possession, substitute Dries Mertens released a missile from a distance that flew into the net.

The Partenopei should have had the equalizer in the dying minutes, but Mario Rui saw his header at the back post palmed by Samir Handanovic.

After the defeat, Napoli is still neck-to-neck with AC Milan on 32 points, while Inter Milan ranks third with 4 points behind.

Also on Sunday, Jose Mourinho's change proved decisive, as the 18-year-old starlet Felix Afena-Gyan, who came off the bench in the last 20 minutes, bagged a brace to help Roma beat Genoa 2-0, ruining Andriy Shevchenko's coaching debut in Serie A.

In Sunday's other fixtures, Venezia edged past Bologna 1-0, Sampdoria won Salernitana 2-0 away, Sassuolo shared spoils with Cagliari 2-2. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)