Inter stunned by shock defeat at Spezia
Inter Milan blew a chance to cut Napoli's huge lead at the top of Serie A on Friday when they were defeated 2-1 by relegation-threatened Spezia.
Goals from Daniel Maldini and M'Bala Nzola, either side of a penalty from Romelu Lukaku, gave fourth-placed Spezia a crucial victory in their fight to avoid relegation.
However, the defeat dealt another body blow to Inter's faint hopes of overtaking Napoli atop the table.
Napoli is now 15 points clear of Inter at the top of the table, despite having played one game fewer.
Inter paid the price for failing to capitalize on opportunities, with Argentine forward Lautaro Martinez's penalty saved by Spezia goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski after 15 minutes.
Martinez scored early in the second half, but Lukaku was offside.
After 55 minutes, Maldini — the son of AC Milan legend Paolo Maldini — swept home a low shot after good work down the right by Nzola.
However, Inter equalized with seven minutes remaining after Denzel Dumfries won a penalty and Lukaku converted.
However, Inter's joy was short-lived, as Dumfries upended Viktor Kovalenko at the other end four minutes later, resulting in a penalty.
Nzola converted calmly to give Spezia their first Serie A victory against Inter at the sixth attempt.
Napoli can go 18 points clear with a win over sixth-placed Atalanta on Saturday, thanks to Inter's second consecutive away defeat.
Spezia remained one place above the relegation zone, but increased their lead over Verona to six points.
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