Napoli 4 Inter 1: Spalletti's side crushed as Champions League race goes to the wire

Posted Monday, May 20, 2019 by Goal.com

Fabian Ruiz was the star for Napoli as they beat Inter 4-1 to ensure Serie A's Champions League race goes to the last weekend.

Inter failed to confirm a top-four finish on Sunday as they were crushed 4-1 away to a Fabian Ruiz-inspired Napoli, meaning Serie A's Champions League race will go to the wire.

Luciano Spalletti's side would have secured a place in Europe's elite competition for next season, but they were outclassed by Napoli and go into the final game of the season knowing they could be beaten to fourth by bitter rivals AC Milan.

The visitors offered precious little going forward in the first half and it was no surprise Napoli led at the break, with Piotr Zielinski's stunning 16th-minute strike putting them in front.

Inter failed to stir into life and Dries Mertens' header was added to by a Fabian brace to seal a convincing win in the final 30 minutes, meaning a nervous final match awaits for the Nerazzurri despite Mauro Icardi's late penalty.

FULL-TIME

The final whistle blows at the San Paolo and we'll have to get the job done in #InterEmpoli. #NapoliInter pic.twitter.com/dQjVX7yk30

— Inter (@Inter_en) May 19, 2019
Napoli were on the front foot right from the start and deservedly went ahead when Zielinski punished a sloppy Kwadwo Asamoah error by drilling an unstoppable strike into the top-left corner from 30 yards.

Spalletti introduced Icardi for Matteo Politano at half-time, but the Argentina international struggled to have an impact and Napoli made it 2-0 in the 61st minute – Mertens nodding Jose Callejon's cross beyond Samir Handanovic.

Kalidou Koulibaly incredibly got back in time to head a Lautaro Martinez effort off the line in the 68th minute and Napoli capitalised soon after, Fabian collecting Mertens' cut-back and firing home.

Fabian doubled his tally 12 minutes from the end when surging into the box and blasting in from a tight angle, before Icardi netted a late consolation from the spot after Koulibaly clumsily tripped him.

What does it mean? Inter with it all to do on the last day

While Inter can console themselves with the fact their fate is very much in their hands, struggling Empoli – who have won three in a row – will not go to San Siro and lie down, knowing they need to secure their top-flight status.

Milan are just a point behind them and in better form. It promises to be an intriguing conclusion to the season.

Fabulous Fabian

Boosted by his recent Spain call-up, Fabian hardly put a foot wrong. The midfielder made four key passes – including the assist for Zielinski's opener – before providing two well-taken finishes to get himself a brace. Inter simply could not handle him.

Politano poses few problems

A virtually anonymous first-half display saw the winger withdrawn from the action at half-time in a thoroughly disappointing showing.

What's next?

Although Inter find themselves in a trickier position than they would have hoped, they will still be favourites against relegation-threatened Empoli at home in their final game of the campaign. Napoli's season comes to a close at Bologna, who are effectively safe from the threat of relegation.