Napoli beat Inter 3-1, McTominay revealed the lighting problem

Napoli beat Inter Milan 3-1 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium, on a night where Scott McTominay and Frank Zambo Anguissa both had direct marks on the scoresheet. McTominay revealed he almost missed the pass leading to the goal because he was blinded by the floodlights, while Anguissa insisted the victory was more about energy and attitude than a change of system. The result saw Napoli move to the top of Serie A, taking advantage of AC Milan's 2-2 draw with Pisa; they will retain that position if Roma fail to beat Sassuolo.

Key moment: McTominay's instinctive finish

In his post-match interview, McTominay described his goal as an unlikely one, saying he was blinded by the floodlights when Leonardi Spinazzola delivered the decisive pass. “I was blinded by the floodlights and didn’t see the ball coming from Spinazzola. When the ball came, I just shot it instinctively,” the Scot said, praising the creator: “Leo is a fantastic player, he’s made some great passes this season.”

The strike also marked McTominay's first home goal since May, when he scored in the win over Cagliari that sealed last season's Scudetto.

Developments and turning points: Anguissa scores, Napoli reacts after European stumble

Napoli came out in need of a response after their midweek UEFA Champions League defeat and they did so with a determined performance against a highly-rated Inter side. McTominay scored, and Anguissa finished off the scoring to make it 3-1, capping off a productive night for the hosts.

The key is intensity and timing. When the game demands ruthlessness in the box, Napoli have individuals who can make the difference: a well-timed pass from Spinazzola, an instinctive strike from McTominay, then Anguissa’s decisiveness in the final moment.

Tactical angle: attitude over diagram, flexibility as the foundation

Frank Zambo Anguissa stressed that the victory did not come down to a particular change in formation. “I don’t think the system made the difference, it was the way we played. The team had energy, the desire to win. We were ready to play in any system the coach chose,” he told DAZN Italia.

That message was clear in the Napoli identity of this match: speed and tempo over any geometric adjustments on the board. Within that block, individual roles stood out: Spinazzola provided the opening pass; McTominay moved to be ready for the first-touch finish; Anguissa took the decisive shot. From defence to counter-attack, Napoli won by being willing to fight and decisive when the opportunity opened up.

Important statistics and facts

• Score: Napoli 3-1 Inter Milan.
• Location: Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
• Napoli scorers: Scott McTominay; Frank Zambo Anguissa made it 3-1 (other goals not detailed in the source).
• McTominay got his first home goal since May (last season he scored in the win over Cagliari).
• AC Milan drew 2-2 with Pisa; Napoli temporarily took the lead in Serie A.
• The number one spot will be kept if Roma fail to beat Sassuolo in their next match.

Post-match reaction: Napoli's internal statement

McTominay acknowledged it was a necessary reaction after the European defeat: “We knew we needed to react and I think we did. Inter are a classy team, but Napoli showed real fighting spirit.”

Anguissa reaffirms that the decisive factor belongs to the person on the pitch: energy, desire and willingness to adapt to any tactical instructions.

Impact on the Serie A race

A 3-1 win over their direct rivals helped Napoli temporarily take the top spot. In the context of AC Milan being held to a draw, this was a psychological boost and an important point for the home coach's team. The near future will depend on the result of the Roma - Sassuolo match, but at this point, Napoli has sent a clear message about their competitiveness.