MILAN – Napoli’s 11-match winning streak in Serie A ended on Wednesday, when Edin Dzeko’s second-half goal secured Inter Milan a 1-0 victory.

While Napoli, who came into the game unbeaten in the Italian league this season, dominated possession in the goalless first half, Inter striker Dzeko broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when he headed in a cross from Federico Dimarco.

“Being the first to beat Napoli, who were the only side in Europe’s top leagues without defeat this season, is a big confidence booster. I am very proud of my team because they helped each other out on the field, they were a pleasure to watch and we put in a great performance for the fans,” Inter manager Simone Inzaghi said to DAZN.

Dzeko added: “We were playing for the three points, especially against a team that, for the first six months, played extraordinary football. We knew Napoli passed it around well, which we saw today too, but told ourselves we had to remain solid and focused...

“I know that I am 36 years old but I want to play at the highest level... I’ll keep going as long as I can still make a difference.”

Napoli top the table with 41 points after 16 games. They lead AC Milan by five points and Juventus are third on 34, one point ahead of fourth-placed Inter.

“We can do more in terms of quality, some of our players were a little below par today,” Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti said.

“You are meant to move the ball side to side to pull the opposition out of shape, but that doesn’t work when you do it slowly and without the usual quality.”

Inter went close after four minutes when Romelu Lukaku crossed into the box but the angle was too narrow for Dimarco, who sent his effort wide.

Lukaku then shot over in the 41st minute after being played in by a backheel from Nicolo Barella.

Barella fed Dimarco in the box a minute later but Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret saved his effort before the offside flag was raised.

The visitors started to build momentum after Dzeko’s goal but struggled to create opportunities.

“Games have different moments. Towards the end of the first half, we went deeper and allowed Napoli more possession but we could’ve scored three goals in the first half,” Inzaghi said.

Napoli had their best chance in the 90th minute when Giacomo Raspadori managed to get a shot on goal from inside the box but goalkeeper Andre Onana made a reflex save.

Meanwhile, AC Milan, Inter’s local rivals, beat Salernitana 2-1 to narrow Napoli’s lead at the top to five points.

Also on Wednesday, Arkadiusz Milik’s stoppage-time free kick earned Juventus a 1-0 win at Cremonese. It was Juventus’ seventh game in a row without conceding a goal. REUTERS, AFP