Philip Billing played a crucial role in rescuing a point for Napoli in a dramatic Serie A clash against Inter. The draw kept Inter at the top of the table, but Billing’s late equalizer reinforced Napoli’s belief that they can still challenge for the title.
Antonio Conte faced a tough decision before the match, weighing whether to start Billy Gilmour or Billing in midfield. Gilmour had started just five league games since joining from Brighton, while Billing arrived on loan from Bournemouth in January. Ultimately, Conte opted for familiarity, starting Gilmour alongside Stanislav Lobotka and Scott McTominay in midfield.
The match highlighted the financial disparity between Serie A and the Premier League. Italian clubs struggle to compete due to lower revenue from broadcasting rights and aging stadiums, which have hindered investment in squad depth. This economic gap was evident in the Champions League, where Juventus, Milan, and Atalanta were all eliminated in the new playoff round.
Despite these challenges, Serie A remains competitive. Napoli, under Conte’s guidance, has emerged as a title contender, with players like McTominay thriving in key roles. Gilmour, though not a regular starter, was trusted for this crucial encounter, showing he remains valued by the manager.
Inter took the lead through a stunning free-kick from Federico Dimarco, leaving Napoli to chase the game. The home side created several chances, with Gilmour setting up Romelu Lukaku for a volley that narrowly missed. Lukaku later saw a close-range effort blocked by Alessandro Bastoni.
Napoli intensified their attacking pressure in the second half. Gilmour had a shot blocked before McTominay’s powerful strike was saved by Inter’s keeper, Josep Martínez. Conte made his move in the 79th minute, bringing on Billing for Gilmour. The substitution proved decisive.
In the 87th minute, Lobotka surged forward, drawing defenders towards him. Billing found space near the penalty spot, received the ball, and saw his initial shot blocked by Martínez. However, he reacted quickly to bury the rebound, sparking wild celebrations among teammates and fans. One supporter held a sign predicting the Danish midfielder’s impact an omen that came true in spectacular fashion.
Napoli nearly snatched victory in stoppage time when Cyril Ngonge’s deflected shot was gathered by Martínez. The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, leaving both sides wondering whether to be satisfied with a point or frustrated at missing out on a win.
Inter remained top, but their struggles against top-four opponents continued. Meanwhile, Napoli’s spirited performance and Billing’s heroics provided a much-needed confidence boost as the title race heated up. Conte, who had downplayed title talk throughout the season, hinted at a shift in mindset. “We need to take responsibility,” he said. “If we want to, we can.”
