Serie action began once again after the winter break.
Leonardo’s debut was an excellent one as Inter beat second placed Napoli in a high voltage encounter. Open ended attacking football from both teams but Inter’s finishing proved crucial.
Thiago Motta known mostly for his enforcing role under Mourinho enjoyed a transformation into a striker finishing off a nice left footed volley after an interchange of pretty passes. Napoli seemed to have an instant answer but Edinson Cavani’s goal was called back after Andrea Dossena was adjudged correctly for being offside. But a little bit later there was no denying Michele Pazienza heading home from Ezequiel Lavezzi’s corner.
Inter took the lead again as Maicon bounding down the right swung in a cross which Esteban Cambiasso nailed remorselessly. They added to their tally as Motta rising hard and high turned in Goran Pandev’s corner past Morgan De Sanctis.
A little too early to say whether this will hold but Leonardo’s presence seemed to provide the oomph that Inter lacked under Rafa Benitez.