Bastoni: ‘Inter made mistakes, but 2-2 draw with Napoli in a positive light’
Alessandro Bastoni admits Inter ‘should’ve done better’ on both Napoli goals, but insists the 2-2 draw and their Serie A leadership should be ‘seen in a positive light.’
It was a thrilling Scudetto race last season that went down to the wire and this was reflected in tonight’s game at San Siro too.
Federico Dimarco’s angled drive opened the scoring early, with Scott McTominay replying to make up for an error in the build-up to that goal.
Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Inter 2-2 Napoli
Hakan Calhanoglu converted a penalty that infuriated Antonio Conte, but McTominay was again ready to claw Napoli back into the game from close range.
Inter had the opportunity to win it in stoppages, as the woodwork denied Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Bastoni looks at Inter positives
“There are some details that we certainly need to work on, but I saw a definite step forward today in terms of mentality and sharpness,” Bastoni told DAZN Italia.
“We should’ve done better on the goals, but must also recognise the quality of the opponents, who have players of the highest level. I still believe we’ve had a very good first half of the season, as I remember the perception that people had of us at the start.
“It is not easy to reboot after so many years, and I feel it has been a good campaign.”
It has been said that Inter struggled in the ‘big’ games this season, but it goes back longer than that, because they haven’t won any of the last 14 meetings with Napoli, Milan or Juventus in all competition, managing seven draws and seven defeats.
“Unfortunately, when you concede a goal, there are many errors that lead up to it. Napoli are a strong side, so despite everything, I see tonight’s game in a positive light,” continued Bastoni.
“The first goal was a great team move from Napoli, we know they play like that, it was all done at pace. It’s details that make the difference, all goals can be avoided, but if there were never any mistakes, every match would end 0-0.”
This result means the title race remains exactly as it was before this weekend, with Inter out on top on 43 points, followed by Milan on 40 and Napoli 39.
Roma caught the Partenopei on 39 and Juventus can do the same tomorrow, but the top three all have a game in hand, with those rescheduled fixtures set for Wednesday and Thursday next week.