Softfootball previews Sunday’s highly anticipated Serie A matchup between reigning champions Inter Milan and current league leaders Napoli, featuring team news, predictions, and possible lineups.
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This clash at San Siro brings together two of Italy’s top sides, with Napoli holding a narrow one-point lead over Inter after a recent surprising loss at home, while Inter rides high with three consecutive wins, including a critical Champions League victory.
Match Preview
In a hard-fought 1-0 win against Venezia, Lautaro Martinez scored the lone goal, propelling Inter into a close 1-0 win over Arsenal in their subsequent Champions League fixture. Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty on the brink of halftime gave Inter a lead they held onto with resilient defending, edging closer to a coveted top-eight finish in Europe with a strong four clean sheets so far.
In Serie A, Napoli’s recent slip-up leaves them only a point ahead of Inter, who have their sights set on defending the Scudetto. Inzaghi’s side has enjoyed eight wins in their last nine games, including a thrilling eight-goal draw against Juventus, and has scored in an impressive 28 consecutive home league games. With just one loss in their last ten matches against Napoli, Inter enters this clash with ample confidence before the upcoming international break.
Napoli, led by Antonio Conte, aims to bounce back after a shocking 3-0 home loss to Atalanta BC, ending a 10-match unbeaten streak. This defeat was only Conte’s second home loss by such a margin, and he is now focused on rebounding strongly. A second loss could see Napoli relinquish their league lead, casting doubts on their resilience in this open title race. Nonetheless, Napoli boasts a solid away form, keeping clean sheets in their last four away games, including a notable win over AC Milan at San Siro.
Team News
Simone Inzaghi is expected to rotate his squad, with only Carlos Augusto ruled out. Francesco Acerbi may return to the starting lineup, while Marcus Thuram is likely to partner Lautaro Martinez upfront. Although Martinez initially excelled against Napoli, his scoring has waned, with no goals in his last five outings against them.
Napoli’s attack will feature their top scorer, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, along with former Inter players Romelu Lukaku and Matteo Politano. With Stanislav Lobotka’s recovery, Billy Gilmour’s place in midfield is uncertain. The left-back position will be contested by Mathias Olivera and Leonardo Spinazzola, with captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo set to start on the right.
Expected Lineups
Inter Milan: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Thuram, Martinez
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, McTominay, Kvaratskhelia; Lukaku
This encounter promises a battle of tactical minds at San Siro, where psychological resilience may prove as crucial as skill. Inter appears solid in both areas, while Napoli, facing stiffer competition, may find it tough to escape without a loss.
