Inter Milan, looking to right the wrongs of the previous season, took the lead against rivals AC Milan in the season’s first Derby della Madonnina – 21 minutes after kick-off.
The Nerazzurri attacked their opponents directly, with Lautaro Martinez dragging a defender out of his line and holding the ball with his back to the goal. He then played a pass to Joaquin Correa, who spotted Marcelo Brozovic’s run into the space vacated by the centre-back, and played a perfect through ball for the Croatian to take advantage of.
Internazionale’s lead did not last for long, as 2021/22’s MVP of the Season, Rafael Leao, brought the scores level with a thumping effort from the left side of the box after a perfectly-weighted pass from Sandro Tonali.
The Portuguese turned provider after the break, playing a cross into the box that Olivier Giroud diverted over the goal-line. Leao put the result beyond doubt on the stroke of the hour with a sensational solo goal, bursting past the Inter central defenders from the outside, then firing in a low shot into the corner.
Edin Dzeko came off the bench to pull a goal back for Inter, which, in turn, sparked a late onslaught on the Milan goal. Mike Maignan stood firm, helping his side hold onto their narrow lead and, as a result, the three points.
The Rossoneri climbed to the top of the table courtesy of their derby win, but their lead lasted three hours as Napoli leapfrogged them into the first position by beating Maurizio Sarri-led Lazio.
The Partenopei fell behind four minutes into the match, following a low and powerful strike into the corner by Mattia Zaccagni. But, Kim Min-Jae equalized in the 38th minute from a corner, scoring his second of the season.
A minute past the hour, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia powered in his strike from the edge of the box through a wall of bodies in the Lazio box, giving Napoli the all-important goal – and consequently, the win.
