McTominay’s Heroics in Thrilling 2-2 Draw Keeps Scudetto Race Intense

Serie A | Inter 2-2 Napoli: McTominay double keeps thrilling Scudetto battle alive

The San Siro witnessed a captivating encounter as Inter Milan and Napoli battled to a 2-2 draw, a result that, while maintaining Inter’s position at the top of Serie A, highlighted Napoli’s resilience under Francesco Calzona. Scott McTominay, surprisingly deployed in a more advanced role, emerged as the hero for Inter, netting twice to twice pull his team back from the brink. However, Napoli’s vibrant attack, spearheaded by Victor Osimhen, posed constant problems for the Inter defense, ensuring a tense and unpredictable match until the final whistle.

Inter’s Tactical Setup and McTominay’s Impact

Simone Inzaghi opted for his familiar 3-5-2 formation, aiming to control the midfield and exploit the width with his wing-backs. However, the most intriguing aspect of Inter’s setup was the deployment of Scott McTominay in a more advanced midfield role, often pushing into the box to support the forwards. This proved to be a masterstroke, as McTominay’s late runs and aerial prowess caused significant problems for the Napoli defense. His first goal, a well-timed header from a Nicolo Barella cross, showcased his ability to arrive undetected in the box. The second, a powerful strike from the edge of the area, demonstrated his improved confidence and technique in front of goal. McTominay’s performance was not just about the goals; his work rate, tackling, and overall energy injected dynamism into the Inter midfield, compensating for the slightly subdued performance of Hakan Calhanoglu.

While McTominay shone, Inter’s overall performance was not without its flaws. The midfield struggled at times to contain Napoli’s quick transitions, and the defensive line looked vulnerable against Osimhen’s pace and power. Lautaro Martinez, usually a reliable source of goals, had a quiet game, failing to capitalize on the few chances that came his way. Marcus Thuram, his strike partner, worked tirelessly but lacked the clinical edge needed to break down a stubborn Napoli defense.

Napoli’s Resilient Performance and Osimhen’s Threat

Francesco Calzona’s Napoli showcased their fighting spirit, twice taking the lead and refusing to be intimidated by the San Siro atmosphere. Their 4-3-3 formation allowed them to control possession and build attacks patiently, while also providing a solid defensive base. Victor Osimhen was a constant thorn in Inter’s side, his pace, strength, and intelligent movement creating numerous opportunities. He scored a brilliant individual goal, outmuscling Stefan de Vrij before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Yann Sommer. Beyond the goal, Osimhen’s presence stretched the Inter defense, creating space for his teammates to exploit. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, operating on the left wing, also caused problems with his dribbling and creativity, although he was less decisive than usual.

Napoli’s midfield, led by Piotr Zielinski, worked tirelessly to win back possession and dictate the tempo of the game. Zielinski’s passing range and vision were crucial in linking defense and attack, while Stanislav Lobotka provided a solid shield in front of the back four. The defense, despite conceding twice, remained relatively solid, with Amir Rrahmani and Kim Min-jae forming a strong partnership at the heart of the backline. However, they struggled at times to contain McTominay’s late runs into the box, highlighting a potential weakness in their defensive organization.

Key Battles and Turning Points

The midfield battle between Inter’s Calhanoglu and Napoli’s Zielinski was a key aspect of the game. While Calhanoglu had a relatively quiet game by his standards, Zielinski dictated the tempo for Napoli, showcasing his passing range and vision. The duel between Osimhen and De Vrij was another captivating subplot, with Osimhen’s pace and power constantly testing the Inter defender’s resilience. McTominay’s introduction into the box proved to be a game-changer, as his late runs and aerial ability caught the Napoli defense off guard on multiple occasions.

A potential turning point occurred in the second half when Inter were awarded a penalty, only for it to be overturned by VAR due to a marginal offside in the build-up. This decision sparked controversy and could have significantly altered the outcome of the match. However, Inter responded positively, with McTominay scoring his second goal shortly after to level the score.

Player Ratings

Inter Milan:

• Yann Sommer (6/10): Made a few routine saves but could do little about Napoli’s goals.
• Benjamin Pavard (6.5/10): Solid defensively but offered little going forward.
• Stefan de Vrij (6/10): Struggled against Osimhen’s pace and power.
• Alessandro Bastoni (7/10): Composed on the ball and made several crucial interceptions.
• Denzel Dumfries (6.5/10): Energetic down the right flank but lacked quality in his final delivery.
• Nicolo Barella (7.5/10): Provided the assist for McTominay’s first goal and worked tirelessly in midfield.
• Hakan Calhanoglu (6/10): Relatively quiet game by his standards, struggling to dictate the tempo.
• Scott McTominay (8.5/10): Scored two crucial goals and injected dynamism into the Inter midfield. Man of the Match.
• Federico Dimarco (7/10): Provided width and delivered some dangerous crosses.
• Lautaro Martinez (5.5/10): Uncharacteristically quiet game, failing to capitalize on the few chances that came his way.
• Marcus Thuram (6.5/10): Worked tirelessly but lacked the clinical edge needed to break down the Napoli defense.
• Substitutes: Davide Frattesi (6/10), Alexis Sanchez (6/10), Carlos Augusto (N/A)

Napoli:

• Alex Meret (6.5/10): Made a few decent saves but was ultimately beaten twice.
• Giovanni Di Lorenzo (7/10): Solid defensively and provided a threat going forward.
• Amir Rrahmani (7.5/10): Formed a strong partnership with Kim Min-jae at the heart of the defense.
• Kim Min-jae (7/10): Dominant in the air and made several crucial tackles.
• Mario Rui (6.5/10): Solid defensively but offered little going forward.
• Piotr Zielinski (8/10): Dictated the tempo for Napoli with his passing range and vision.
• Stanislav Lobotka (7/10): Provided a solid shield in front of the back four.
• Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa (6.5/10): Energetic in midfield but lacked quality on the ball.
• Matteo Politano (7/10): Lively on the right wing and created several opportunities.
• Victor Osimhen (8/10): Scored a brilliant goal and constantly troubled the Inter defense.
• Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (7/10): Showcased his dribbling and creativity but was less decisive than usual.
• Substitutes: Giacomo Raspadori (6/10), Eljif Elmas (N/A), Tanguy Ndombele (N/A)

Conclusion

The 2-2 draw was a fair result in a thrilling encounter between two of Serie A’s top teams. Inter Milan will be disappointed not to have secured all three points at home, but they will be grateful to Scott McTominay for his match-saving performance. Napoli, on the other hand, will take heart from their resilient display and the continued threat posed by Victor Osimhen. The result keeps the Scudetto race wide open, with several teams vying for the title.

Looking Ahead

Inter Milan will need to address their defensive vulnerabilities and find a way to get Lautaro Martinez back to his best if they are to maintain their position at the top of Serie A. Napoli will be encouraged by their performance and will look to build on this result in their upcoming matches. Both teams have the quality and the potential to challenge for the Scudetto, and their upcoming fixtures will be crucial in determining their fate.

FAQ

What formation did Inter Milan use in the match?

Inter Milan played in their usual 3-5-2 formation, with the surprise element being Scott McTominay playing in a more advanced midfield role.

Who was the Man of the Match?

Scott McTominay was awarded Man of the Match for his two goals and impactful performance in midfield for Inter Milan.

How did Victor Osimhen perform for Napoli?

Victor Osimhen was a constant threat to the Inter Milan defense. He scored a brilliant individual goal and consistently troubled the defenders with his pace and power.

What was the key tactical change made in the match?

The key tactical element was Simone Inzaghi’s decision to deploy Scott McTominay in an advanced midfield position, which paid off handsomely with McTominay scoring two goals.

Was there any VAR controversy in the game?

Yes, Inter Milan were initially awarded a penalty, but it was overturned by VAR due to a marginal offside in the build-up, sparking some controversy.

What are the main takeaways from the match for both teams?

For Inter, the main takeaway is the need to address defensive vulnerabilities and get Lautaro Martinez back in form. For Napoli, the takeaway is the encouraging resilient display and the continued threat posed by Victor Osimhen. Both teams remain strong contenders in the Scudetto race.