Napoli Stuns Inter as De Bruyne Scores and Suffers Painful Blow
It was a dramatic evening at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli managed to edge out Inter 1-0 in a tense Serie A clash that had just about everything — a crucial penalty, a moment of brilliance, and an unexpected injury that silenced the entire stadium.
The match began with high intensity from both sides. Inter, riding the wave of seven consecutive victories across all competitions, appeared confident, while Napoli came into this game under pressure, still reeling from the painful 6-2 defeat against PSV in the Champions League. Antonio Conte’s side desperately needed a response, and they delivered it — though not without a heavy price.
Early exchanges saw both teams testing each other’s defensive lines. Inter’s Lautaro MartÃnez and Nicolò Barella came close to opening the scoring, with Calhanoglu firing narrowly wide from distance. Napoli, however, started growing into the match through Billy Gilmour and Matteo Politano, who attempted to push the tempo.
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The turning point arrived in the 29th minute when Napoli was awarded a penalty. After a VAR check confirmed a foul by Henrikh Mkhitaryan on Giovanni Di Lorenzo, the referee pointed to the spot. Kevin De Bruyne stepped up with his trademark composure, striking the ball past Yann Sommer to give Napoli a 1-0 lead. But celebration quickly turned to concern — as the Belgian star collapsed immediately after scoring, clutching his right leg in visible pain.
It was a heartbreaking sight. De Bruyne had to be carried off by teammates, unable to put weight on his leg. He was replaced by MathÃas Olivera, and the mood in the Maradona shifted from joy to worry.
Inter tried to respond immediately, hitting the crossbar through Alessandro Bastoni, while Dimarco and Dumfries both came close on the wings. Yet, Napoli held firm. Conte’s defensive setup was disciplined, with Buongiorno and Di Lorenzo clearing every dangerous ball that came their way.
Behind the scenes, Napoli’s sporting director Giovanni Manna spoke to DAZN before the game, admitting that injuries have been a real setback for the squad. With players like Romelu Lukaku and Rrahmani missing and goalkeeper Meret sidelined again, consistency has been hard to find. But Manna insisted that the team’s unity remains their strength — a belief that was certainly visible on the pitch tonight.
As the final whistle blew, Napoli’s players embraced each other, knowing they had pulled off a hard-fought win against one of the most in-form teams in Italy. It wasn’t just three points; it was a statement — a message that, despite their struggles, Napoli still has the grit and character to rise when it matters most.
For Conte and his men, the joy of victory was mixed with worry for their midfield maestro. De Bruyne’s injury cast a long shadow, but on a night like this, Napoli rediscovered their spirit — the Maradona crowd roared again, and for ninety minutes, belief was back in the air.
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