Inter Milan will hope to inflict a second successive defeat to challengers Napoli on Antonio Conte’s return on Sunday.
This Sunday, Serie A champions Inter Milan host league leaders Napoli at San Siro, promising a thrilling clash between two of Italy’s finest. Just one point separates the two titans at the top of the table, with Inter on a three-game winning streak, while Napoli aim to rebound after a rare defeat.
Inter Milan are riding high with three straight wins, including a significant UEFA Champions League victory over Arsenal. Lautaro Martinez’s decisive goal in their recent league win over Venezia was followed by a penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu to secure the win against Arsenal.
Simone Inzaghi’s team has been impressive defensively, registering four clean sheets halfway through their European campaign, putting them on track for a strong Champions League finish. In Serie A, Inter are just one point behind Napoli and firmly in the hunt to defend their Scudetto.
Having won eight of their last nine matches in all competitions — only slipping in an epic 4-4 draw with Juventus — the Nerazzurri are in great form. They boast an impressive 28-match scoring streak at home in Serie A, the third longest across Europe’s top leagues, and have lost only once to Napoli in their last 10 top-flight meetings. Heading into this final match before the international break, Inter will be confident in their form and defensive resilience.
Napoli head to the Giuseppe Meazza aiming to recover from a surprising 3-0 home loss to Atalanta BC last week. The defeat was a strategic setback for manager Antonio Conte, whose team had been unbeaten in 10 consecutive league and cup matches. Conte will now face one of his former clubs, with Napoli determined to respond positively.
This loss to Atalanta marked only the second time Conte had suffered a three-goal defeat at home, and it places added pressure on Napoli to hold onto their top spot. Should they lose, they risk dropping from first place, which could shake their momentum in what is shaping up to be a highly competitive title race.
Despite this setback, Napoli have been solid on the road, including a win over AC Milan at San Siro, and they head into this match with four consecutive away clean sheets, having taken 10 points from their last 12 on the road. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.
Team News & Tactics
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi has flexibility in his squad selection for the clash against Napoli, with only Carlos Augusto ruled out due to injury. Veteran centre-back Francesco Acerbi has returned to full training and was on the bench against Arsenal, making him an option to start this weekend. Marcus Thuram, who was used sparingly in midweek, is expected to return to the starting lineup alongside captain Lautaro Martinez.
While Martinez has had success against Napoli in the past, scoring three goals in his first four league games against them, he has struggled more recently, finding the net just once in his last eight appearances against the Partenopei.
In a likely 3-5-2 setup, Yann Sommer is expected to start in goal. The back three will probably feature Benjamin Pavard on the right, Francesco Acerbi in the central role, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left, providing a mix of experience and composure in defence.
Higher up, Matteo Darmian is likely to take the right wing-back position, with Federico Dimarco on the left, adding width and energy to Inter’s play. The central midfield trio will include Nicolo Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, combining creativity, control, and playmaking ability.
Up front, Marcus Thuram will partner with Lautaro Martinez, forming a dynamic duo aimed at penetrating Napoli’s defence. Martinez’s leadership and Thuram’s movement make them a potent attacking pair as Inter Milan look to maintain their form and secure points against Napoli.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
SSC Napoli
Napoli’s attacking lineup for the clash against Inter Milan will feature Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the team’s top scorer this season, along with former Inter players Romelu Lukaku and Matteo Politano. In midfield, Stanislav Lobotka has recovered from a thigh strain, potentially pushing Billy Gilmour to the bench despite the Scot’s recent commendable performances under Antonio Conte.
On the defensive end, Mathias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola are competing for the left-back position, while captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo is set to start on the right side of the defence.
In a probable 4-2-3-1 formation, Alex Meret will start in goal. The backline will likely feature Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, Amir Rrahmani and Alessandro Buongiorno as the central defensive pairing, and Mathias Olivera at left-back.
In the double pivot of the midfield, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa is expected to partner with Stanislav Lobotka, providing defensive support and transitional play. Matteo Politano will likely take up the right-wing position, with Scott McTominay in the central attacking midfield role, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the left wing, adding creativity and threat to Napoli’s forward movement.
Romelu Lukaku will lead the attack as the lone striker, looking to make an impact against his former club, Inter Milan, with support from the creative trio behind him. This setup allows Napoli to balance their attacking ambitions with defensive solidity as they aim to secure points on the road.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
Key Stats
- Napoli have won only one of their last 10 Serie A matches against Inter, with that victory coming in May 2023 (3-1 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium). Over these 10 matches, Napoli have drawn three times and lost six.
- Inter Milan have won more home games against Napoli than against any other Serie A team, with 51 victories out of 78 total meetings (D18 L9). Inter have won each of their last four home games against Napoli.
- Since the 2018/19 season, Napoli have lost seven of their last 12 Serie A games against Inter (W1 D3), making Inter Milan the team against whom the Partenopei have suffered the most league defeats during this period.
- Inter Milan have scored in each of their last 28 Serie A home games. Among Europe’s top five leagues, only Barcelona (29) and Lille (30) are on longer active scoring streaks at home.
- Napoli’s nine-game unbeaten league streak (W8 D1) ended with a 3-0 loss to Atalanta. They now risk losing consecutive Serie A games for the first time since December 2023 under Walter Mazzarri.
Player to Watch
Romelu Lukaku
Lukaku will be the focal point for Napoli as they face his former club, Inter Milan, at San Siro. Known for his physical presence, intelligent positioning, and clinical finishing, Lukaku has the experience and skill set to make a significant impact in high-stakes matches like this one. His powerful hold-up play and ability to bring teammates into action will be essential as Napoli look to break down Inter’s formidable rearguard.
Lukaku has a point to prove in this match-up, facing the club where he enjoyed significant success in the past. His familiarity with Inter’s defenders could give him an edge, as he knows their tendencies and weaknesses. Napoli manager Antonio Conte will likely leverage Lukaku’s strengths in the final third, using his combination play with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano to maximise scoring opportunities.
Expect Lukaku to be highly motivated and at the centre of Napoli’s attacking efforts as they aim to regain top position in Serie A. If he can find space and exploit Inter’s defence, the Belgian striker could be the difference-maker in this crucial fixture.
Prediction
Inter Milan 1-1 SSC Napoli
This match is finely balanced, with both sides displaying impressive defensive records and high-quality attacks. Inter’s home advantage and recent form give them a slight edge, but Napoli’s resilience on the road could see them push their hosts all the way. Both teams are in strong form, and a draw seems likely, with each side managing to breach the other’s defence in a closely contested encounter.