Inter moved to the top of Serie A with a narrow 1-0 victory away from home against Cagliari on Sunday, while Napoli suffered a 2-1 defeat by Como in the second round of the Italian league season.
Hakan Calhanoglu scored the only goal of the match after nine minutes, securing a second consecutive win for the reigning champions. The result took Inter to six points, while Cagliari remained on three points in 13th place.
Inter needed only nine minutes to break the deadlock. Nicolo Barella carried the ball infield from the right before delivering a cross towards Calhanoglu, who struck first time with his right foot from outside the penalty area. His effort flew accurately into the bottom corner.
Lautaro Martinez went close to extending Inter’s lead when he turned sharply before sending a shot just wide of the post. Manuel Akanji also threatened from a Federico Dimarco free-kick, but his header drifted beyond the far post.
Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile then kept his side in the contest with an excellent save to deny a powerful effort from Barella. He was called upon again moments later, getting enough on a fierce Dimarco strike to push it over the crossbar.
Early in the second half, Caprile reacted quickly to prevent Esposito from scoring after another pass from Barella, clearing the ball off the goal line. Cagliari began to regain control of the match as the hour mark approached, but Inter held on to claim all three points.
Curtis Jones made his first appearance for Inter, while John Stones also came on as a substitute. Alessandro Bastoni was unable to keep his effort on target after receiving a cross from Dimarco.
Como deliver painful defeat for Napoli
Napoli were beaten 2-1 at home by Como, suffering their first defeat of the season in front of their own supporters.
Como took the lead in the 17th minute through Martin Baturina, but Napoli levelled 13 minutes later when Rasmus Højlund found the net.
The visitors restored their advantage only four minutes after the equaliser, with Anastasios Douvikas scoring to put Como back in front. Napoli, managed by Massimiliano Allegri, could not find another response.
Como’s victory lifted them to four points and sixth place in the table, while Napoli stayed on three points in 10th.
In the other match mentioned from the same round, Lazio beat Genoa 1-0 through Davide Frattesi’s 25th-minute goal.
The win moved Lazio to six points in fourth place. Genoa, meanwhile, remain without a point and sit 16th.
