Napoli 1-1 Inter Milan Player Ratings: Philip Billing emerges as the unlikely hero for Napoli in a thrilling draw against Inter

Philip Billing stole the show at the Diego Maradona Stadium as he scored a late equaliser against Inter Milan. Napoli were staring at a second consecutive defeat until the Danish international stabbed a rebound home. Inter Milan only had themselves to blame as they came out only to defend in the second half after Federico Dimarco scored a sublime freekick in the first half.

The game billed as 1v2 in the table did deliver blockbuster action and lived up to its billing. Both teams were far from perfect form going into this mouthwatering fixture. Napoli won only once in their last five games and Antonio Conte was at the risk of going five games without a win in Serie A for the first time. Billy Gilmour for Philip Billing was the only change as Conte named the same side that shockingly lost 2-1 to Como.

On the other hand, Conte’s former side, Inter Milan, had only two wins in their last five. Despite the inconsistent form, they made it to the summit for the first time this season. Inter named their strongest 11 as Hakan Calhanoglu replaced Kristjan Asllani in the middle of the pitch after the 1-0 win against Genoa.

The blockbuster clash had a cautious start before turning fiery as both sides settled into their favourite 3 at the back formation. Presidents of both the clubs were in attendance, signifying the importance of this game. Tackles were flying in from both sides as the referee found life difficult answering both captains.

The first real chance fell Napoli’s way as Romelu Lukaku squared for Scott McTominay who could only poke it towards Josep Martinez tamely. But it was Federico Dimarco who scored a brilliant freekick with a left foot past a scrambling Napoli wall and a rooted Alex Meret in the 22nd minute. Inter felt it was retribution as they had a penalty claim waved away and received only a free kick which Dimarco converted with aplomb.

The impressive Billy Gilmour fired a lovely ball over the defence as Romelu Lukaku hit his volley against the side netting. Giacomo Raspadori then rounded the keeper but failed to get the shot away as Napoli ramped up the pressure on Inter. Lukaku was then denied by an excellent intervention from Bastoni on the brink of half-time.

The referee ended the half after a raft of late chances for both sides. It was an entertaining half of football after a slow start as football took centre stage. The hosts had to conjure the magic of Diego Maradona stadium to avoid losing the top spot they held for so long to the defending champions.

An early injury to Dimarco led to his substitution in the second half as Calhanoglu, who was struggling, was also taken off. Inter were happy to sit and defend deep with over 40 minutes to go as Napoli tried everything in their power to break Inter’s defence down.

Inter Milan tried to slow down the game but Lukaku laid one off as McTominay put his laces through the ball only for Martinez to beat it away. Bastoni then slid across to deny Politano. Napoli brought on Noah Okafor to change their shape to a 4-3-3 as time was fast running out for them. Philip Billing also entered the fray to make a change.

Billing proved to be the hero Napoli needed in the 87th minute as the Danish international scored his first goal for the club. Lobtoka had a sensational run into the box before picking out Billing whose first-time shot was saved by Martinez. Luckily for Billing, he reacted the quickest to slot it home as Dumfries failed to track him.

Both sides pushed on for a winner late on but it was Cyril Ngonge for Napoli that came the closest. The referee blew the full-time whistle as the Diego Maradona stadium sighed in relief after an action-packed 90 minutes.

The stalemate sees both teams maintain the status quo at the top of the table. Inter Milan will end the weekend on top of the league, but will be wary of Atalanta catching them up as well as Napoli. They turn their attention to Feyenoord in the Champions League away from home midweek next.

Napoli meanwhile have missed the chance to surge ahead in the league table. They stay second in the table but need to play catch-up in the league. Antonio Conte has gone five games without a win for the first time in his Serie A career. They will host Fiorentina in the league next Sunday.

Here are the Napoli vs Inter Milan Player Ratings:

Napoli Player Ratings

GK – Alex Meret – 7/10

Stood no chance when Dimarco bent the ball around the wall and into his net. Was barely tested later on.

CB – Giovanni Di Lorenzo – 6/10

Did step into attack too for chance creation as Napoli chased the game. Almost found Raspadori with a cutback on the 30-minute mark.

CB – Amir Rrahmani – 6/10

Shaking off his streak of mistakes, he put in an aggressive shift and took down opposition players.

CB – Alessandro Buongiorno – 6.5/10

Given the freedom to charge at Thuram, he rammed through Thuram and Martinez and conceded a lot of fouls. A big tackle to deny Dimarco his second.

RWB – Matteo Politano – 6/10

Fired up against his ex-side, he held the width and tried to create chances from wide areas.

CM – Billy Gilmour – 7.5/10

Involved in intelligent linkup with McTominay, he released plenty of smart passes. The one to Lukaku over the top drew praise mainly. His physical shortcomings were highlighted as he lost plenty of duels.

CM – Stanislav Lobotka – 8/10

Sat at the deepest of the midfielders and recycled play for his side along with biting into tackles. An excellent run past the Inter midfield into the box to set Billing up for the equaliser.

CM – Scott McTominay – 6.5/10

Put in neat tackles to win the ball and even some naughty ones to hurt the opposition. Was at the end of chance Lukaku created but couldn’t connect with it.

LWB – Lenardo Spinazzola – 6,5/10

Held his position outside the box as he tried to influence the game with his long shots and crosses.

ST – Romelu Lukaku – 6.5/10

Locked in a tussle with Acerbi, he did impress with his hold-up play in bringing his side forward. Was denied by an excellent tackle by Bastoni.

ST – Giocomo Raspadori – 7/10

Had an ambitious overhead kick blocked in the box by Inter’s defence. Started peeling wide and created multiple chances late on. Looked determined to get his side level with plenty of shots.

Sub – Noah Okafor- 6/10

Sub – Philip Billing- 7.5/10

Was thrown on to provide some height during set-pieces. Ended up scoring the all-important equaliser.

Sub – Mathias Olivera- 6/10

Sub – Cyril Ngonge- 6/10

Manager – Antonio Conte – 8/10

His side had a great start to the game and created chances. They couldn’t find their finishing boots. Conte kept on trying as a late tactical switch paid off as Billing came up with the equaliser. He however goes without a win in 5 for the first time in his Serie A career.

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Inter Milan Player Ratings

GK – Josep Martinez – 6/10

Put under pressure by Barella with a weird back pass but ended up showing his proficient passing with feet. A smart reaction save to deny McTominay. Conceded his first Inter goal as Billing side-footed the rebound.

CB – Yann Bisseck- 6.5/10

Matched McTominay for stride when he foiled the Scottish international’s shot on target. Was defending crosses comfortably too.

CB – Francesco Acerbi – 7/10

Stood like a rock in the backline and cleared multiple cutbacks and crosses. A couple of last-ditch challenges helped his side too.

CB – Alessandro Bastoni – 7.5/10

Fantastic sliding challenges to deny Raspadori and Lukaku. Impressive ball playing yet again.

RWB – Denzel Dumfries – 6/10

Spinazzola’s deep position meant Dumfries didn’t have the usual spaces to run into and attack. Switched to the left later in-game. Failed to track Billing for the equaliser.

CM – Nicolo Barella – 6.5/10

The heartbeat of Inter Milan dictated the play for his side and was getting fouled constantly.

CM – Hakan Calhanoglu – 5/10

Lacked the usual pause as Napoli controlled the midfield well. Was growing ineffective as the game progressed and was hooked after 50 minutes.

CM – Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6/10

Was well handled by McTominay who was aggressive in covering him. One of his poorer games for his side.

LWB – Federico Dimarco – 7.5/10

Scored probably one of the best free kicks this season around a jumping Napoli wall. Joined the attack throughout the game and piled pressure on the hosts. Injured and replaced early in the second half.

ST – Marcus Thuram – 6/10

Was targeted by Napoli’s centrebacks but did give it back gradually. Had a header wide of the target when Dimarco crossed for him.

ST – Lautaro Martinez – 6/10

The captain was busy arguing with the referee. Did create a chance for Dimarco with his strong holdup play.

Sub – Benjamin Pavard- 6/10

Replaced Dimarco and went to play as the wing-back on the right side.

Sub – Piotr Zielinski- 6/10

An emotional return to his ex-side with a tough job of defending the lead for over 40 minutes.

Sub – Joaquin Correa – 6/10

Sub – Davide Frattesi- 6/10

Sub – Stefann de Vrij- 6/10

Manager – Simone Inzaghi – 6/10

The manager got his tactics right in the first half as his side took the lead. However, he opted to do virtually nothing but defend in the second half. It was a risk defending against this dangerous Napoli attack and he found it the hard way as they conceded a late equalizer.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match goes to Stanislav Lobotka

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