Napoli Stuns Inter Milan 3-1: Maradona Fortress Seals Dramatic Serie A Upset

Napoli’s impressive 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 25, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in the Serie A title race, showcasing resilience, tactical awareness, and decisive goals that stunned one of Europe’s most in-form sides. This article delivers an in-depth look at the Napoli vs Inter Milan match’s build-up, squad news, tactical highlights, and the implications of Napoli’s triumph​

Serie A Context and Pre-Match Build-Up

Both Napoli and Inter Milan entered the fixture as Serie A heavyweights, with Inter boasting a seven-match winning streak across all competitions since their only league defeat to Juventus earlier in the season. Napoli, although not as consistent, remained formidable at home, unbeaten in 15 league matches at the Maradona stadium since December last year, turning their ground into a fortress.​

Napoli’s earlier ups and downs were offset by their passionate home support and Antonio Conte’s tactical expertise. Inter, coached by Cristian Chivu, had harnessed attacking firepower and defensive discipline, netting 18 goals in seven league matches and keeping four clean sheets in their last five away games.​

Team News: Key Absences and Starting Lineups

The lead-up to the match was shaped significantly by injuries. Napoli were without striker Romelu Lukaku, midfield linchpin Stanislav Lobotka, and defensive mainstay Amir Rrahmani, and had to rely on Vanja Milinkovic-Savic as goalkeeper due to Alex Meret’s fractured toe. Inter’s usual threat, Marcus Thuram, remained sidelined with a hamstring injury, compelling Chivu to pair Ange-Yoan Bonny alongside Lautaro Martinez up front.​

Napoli’s Starting XI:
Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus, Spinazzola; Gilmour; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Neres.​

Inter Milan’s Starting XI:
Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Martinez, Bonny.​

The tactical choices reflected each side’s approach: Napoli maintained midfield flexibility, while Inter relied on high-energy pressing and wing rotations.

First-Half Action: Napoli Seizes Initiative

The opening exchanges were tense and high-pressure. Napoli, leveraging their home form and crowd energy, carved out early chances, culminating in a crucial breakthrough. In the 33rd minute, Kevin De Bruyne converted a penalty, slotting past Inter’s Yann Sommer and giving Napoli a deserved lead. Napoli continued to control the midfield through Anguissa and Gilmour, while Inter struggled to threaten despite Martinez’s probing runs.​

Second-Half Drama: Goals and Turning Points

The second half ignited further excitement. Scott McTominay doubled Napoli’s advantage with a well-timed run and finish in the 54th minute. Inter responded through a penalty from Hakan Çalhanoğlu in the 59th minute after Buongiorno’s handball in the area, narrowing the deficit and giving Inter hope of salvaging the result. However, Napoli restored their two-goal cushion quickly, with Frank Anguissa finishing off a slick move in the 66th minute to make it 3-1.​

Conte’s decision to use David Neres and Politano in flexible wide roles paid off, as their speed and technical skill repeatedly exposed Inter’s flanks. Inter attempted a comeback through substitutions and tactical tweaks, but Napoli’s midfield block and defence proved impenetrable for the remainder of the match.

Tactical Breakdown: Conte vs. Chivu

Antonio Conte’s blueprint revolved around intense pressing, quick transitions, and using De Bruyne as a central playmaker, supported by Politano and Neres on the flanks. This approach allowed Napoli to frequently bypass Inter’s midfield, which was usually marshalled by Barella and Calhanoglu.​

Chivu’s Inter operated with their typical three-man backline flanked by wing-backs Dimarco and Dumfries, designed to overload Napoli’s wide areas. The absence of Thuram limited their flexibility up front, forcing reliance on Martinez and Bonny, who struggled for service against the disciplined Napoli backline. Inter’s structure remained solid, but lapses at key moments, particularly in tracking runners, ultimately cost them dearly.​

Key Player Performances

Several players stood out in Napoli’s win:

• Kevin De Bruyne: Scored from the spot and continuously orchestrated Napoli’s attacking moves from midfield.​
• Scott McTominay: Drove forward to score Napoli’s second, also breaking up Inter attacks in midfield.​
• Frank Anguissa: His third goal capped a dominant performance in both halves, adding defensive steel and attacking thrust.​

For Inter, Hakan Çalhanoğlu was instrumental in midfield, scoring the penalty and setting up attacking play, but the team’s lack of cutting edge upfront was apparent without Thuram’s presence.​

Statistical Highlights

Big Chances Created: Both teams had opportunities, but Napoli converted theirs with greater efficiency.​​

Possession: Napoli maintained an edge, dictating play at crucial moments.​

Shots on Target: Napoli outshot Inter, reflecting their greater attacking intent on the day.​

Current Serie A Table Snapshot

Head-to-Head: Napoli vs Inter Milan, Stalemate or Upset?

Historically, matches between Napoli and Inter Milan have been tightly contested. Napoli last beat Inter in May 2023 (3-1), but the Nerazzurri have since held the upper hand, including wins in the Supercoppa Italiana Final and three consecutive 1-1 draws. Over their last 12 league meetings, Napoli have claimed victory just once, emphasising Inter’s consistent edge in head-to-head encounters. Both teams have scored precisely once in nine of their recent encounters, underscoring the finely balanced nature of this rivalry.​​

Head-to-Head & Historical Stats