Inter Milan will seek to assert their dominance in Serie A after their European heartbreak as they take on reigning champions Napoli.
Inter Milan fans will be hoping the clash on Sunday against reigning Serie A champions Napoli is the moment when the baton is passed on. The Nerrazurri fans hope to see their team wrap up the Serie A title early, considering their team is far ahead of their rivals.
Yet, there are concerns about morale ahead of this big-level game in the league following Inter Milan’s heartbreak in the Champions League. Simone Inzaghi’s men scored a first-half goal and effectively doubled their lead over Atletico Madrid, only for the hosts to stage a comeback.
The game went to penalties, which saw Alexis Sanchez and Davy Klaassen miss their spot-kicks before skipper Lautaro Martinez skied his effort to hand Atletico the passage into the quarter-finals. Inzaghi will not want his players to forget about the midweek result and focus on wrapping up the domestic title rather early, as they face a pivotal clash against Napoli.
It was not a very different outcome for Napoli in the Champions League, as Barcelona beat them in Spain despite the Serie A champions going into that clash level in the game. Psychologically, bowing out of Europe will have a lesser effect than the feeling of handing over the Serie A title to their rivals Inter Milan on Sunday.
Despite their recent revival under Francesco Calzona’s management, Napoli are still a staggering 31 points behind Inter Milan heading into Sunday’s encounter. It sums up the difference in level between the two sides and showcases how bad their title defence has been this season.
A win over Inter Milan would help restore some pride, although Napoli have lost each of their last five games at San Siro against this opponent with an aggregate score of 8-2. For Calzona, this game may not bear any significance with the title race. However, Napoli still have a slim chance of returning to the Champions League, as a fourth-placed finish will keep them motivated.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Juan Cuadrado, Stefano Sensi and Marko Arnautovic are the only absentees for Inter Milan ahead of the Napoli clash. Carlos Augusto might return from a muscular problem that kept him out midweek, although any decision to field him will remain with Simone Inzaghi.
The manager will acknowledge the effort over 120 minutes in Spain, which could see him rest a few of his stars. In that case, Davide Frattesi and Yann Bisseck could get starts in midfield and defence, respectively, with the latter impressing in a late cameo against Atletico Madrid.
Lautaro Martinez might keep his place in this Inter Milan attack, as he could score his tenth goal at home in his fourth consecutive season at San Siro. Similarly, key midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu is vying to reach double figures for only a second time in his career as another goal against Napoli will do the trick.
Matteo Darmian might replace Denzel Dumfries at right wing-back, while Francesco Acerbi might replace Stefan De Vrij in the middle of the back three. Marcus Thuram might keep his place up front, although Inzaghi has the option of Sanchez should he decide to rest one of his starting centre-forwards.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Frattesi, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Napoli
On paper, Francesco Calzona has a full complement of players available ahead of their daunting trip to San Siro. Jens Cajuste and Cyril Ngonge recently returned from their thigh problems, while midfielder Piotr Zielinski, who will incidentally join Inter in the summer, is also back in action.
The only potential issue could be with star striker Victor Osimhen, who remains doubtful about fitness ahead of the trip to Milan. While Calzona hopes to have the Nigerian marksman available for the Sunday clash, should he not make it, then Giovanni Simeone will start in his place for Napoli.
Amir Rrahmani and Juan Jesus are best placed to lead the backline for Napoli, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Mario Rui the options to start in those full-back roles. Should Zielinski return, he might have a spot on the left side of the midfield three.
Stanislav Lobotka remains the best bet to sit at the base of Napoli’s midfield, with Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa on the right side. Calzona hopes that Osimhen will turn up fit and will let him lead the line. Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will attack from the wide zones as Napoli look for a morale-boosting win at San Siro.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesus, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Key Stats
- Inter Milan have won their last ten matches in Serie A.
- Inter Milan have been winning half-time and full-time their last 10 matches in Serie A.
- Inter Milan have kept a clean sheet in six of their last eight matches in Serie A.
- Napoli are 31 points behind their rivals in the Serie A standings.
- Napoli lost their last five visits to San Siro when they faced Inter Milan.
Player to Watch
Lautaro Martinez
It was rather uncharacteristic to watch Martinez when he skied his penalty in the shootout against Atletico Madrid in midweek. What baffled many was that the Argentine was more or less guaranteed to score in such a situation. But overall, it must have been a disappointing outcome, especially considering he is the club captain.
Now, Martinez will want to focus on clinching the Serie A title with ease and score a tenth home goal in his fourth season running for the club. The fans will want to see more character from their club skipper, and a stellar performance against reigning champions Napoli may make the Argentine feel vindicated for the events on Wednesday night.
Prediction
Inter Milan 2-1 Napoli
Napoli are in a decent vein of form coming to San Siro, although their record at this venue when facing Inter Milan have been abysmal in the last five seasons. Hence, the chances of Francesco Calzona and his charges bagging a big victory over the league leaders may be a dream.
Inter Milan are hurt, much like Napoli, although unlike the reigning Serie A champions, they have the incentive of racing towards the title this season. Hence, Simone Inzaghi will want a reactive performance from his players, likely ending in a win for the home side.