Napoli will welcome Juventus to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in this weekend’s standout tie in the Serie A.

Two of Serie A’s heavyweights meet at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Saturday evening, as reigning champions Napoli face Inter Milan in what could be an early statement game in the Scudetto race. Both sides are level on 15 points, though their trajectories in recent weeks suggest contrasting moods within the two camps.

Since the resumption of domestic football after the international break, Napoli’s momentum has faltered. Injuries have disrupted Antonio Conte’s plans, and the champions’ early-season resilience appears to be fading. A 1-0 defeat away to Torino last weekend exposed their growing vulnerabilities, and a midweek collapse in Europe only deepened the concern.

In the UEFA Champions League, Napoli took the lead through Scott McTominay against PSV Eindhoven but conceded four goals in a chaotic second half, eventually losing 6-2. To make matters worse, striker Lorenzo Lucca was dismissed late on, further complicating Conte’s attacking options. The loss marked a worrying trend, Napoli have now been beaten in two of their last three league outings, equalling their total number of defeats across the entire previous Serie A campaign.

Still, Napoli’s home form remains their saving grace. The Azzurri have gone 15 Serie A matches unbeaten at the Maradona since last December, winning 12 of those and scoring in every single one. Conte, preparing to face the club he once managed to a title, will rely heavily on this fortress mentality to reignite belief within his squad.

While Napoli have stumbled, Inter Milan arrive in Naples at full stride. Cristian Chivu’s men are riding a seven-match winning streak across all competitions, combining clinical attacking play with defensive assurance. Their only setback this season, a 4-3 defeat to Juventus in the Derby d’Italia, has done little to dent their confidence.

Inter followed up a convincing Serie A victory over AS Roma with another commanding display in Europe, dismantling Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise 4-0 away from home. The result preserved their flawless UEFA Champions League record, maximum points and no goals conceded, highlighting the balance Chivu has instilled in his side.

Even with Marcus Thuram sidelined, Inter’s attack continues to flourish. His compatriot Ange-Yoan Bonny has stepped up impressively, contributing five goal involvements in his last two appearances. Supported by creative midfielders and full-backs who push high and narrow, Inter’s offensive versatility has been a defining strength. With 18 goals from seven Serie A games and nine different scorers, they boast the division’s most productive frontline.

Defensively, the Nerazzurri have been just as impressive, keeping four clean sheets in their last five away league matches. Their pressing structure and disciplined midfield shield have allowed them to transition seamlessly from defence to attack, often overwhelming opponents in the final third.

The last three league meetings between these sides have all ended in a 1-1 draw, reflecting how evenly matched they’ve been in recent seasons. But with Inter currently playing with greater rhythm and confidence, this encounter could tilt slightly in their favour, provided they can withstand Napoli’s early home pressure. 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

SSC Napoli

Napoli’s attacking depth has been severely tested ahead of their clash with Inter Milan. Romelu Lukaku remains sidelined with a persistent muscle issue, while Rasmus Hojlund, who had been carrying the attack in recent weeks, picked up a thigh strain during training.

Antonio Conte will give the Danish forward every chance to prove his fitness before kickoff, but early indications suggest he could miss out. Should Hojlund be ruled out, Lorenzo Lucca is expected to lead the line once again, though his recent red card in Europe has placed further scrutiny on his temperament.

In midfield, the Azzurri are still without the influential Stanislav Lobotka, whose absence has disrupted Napoli’s usual rhythm in possession. Billy Gilmour is likely to continue deputising in the deep-lying playmaker role, offering energy and control in the centre of the park. Amir Rrahmani, a mainstay in defence, remains unavailable due to injury, forcing Conte to rely on a reshuffled back line for yet another match.

Antonio Conte is expected to deploy a 4-1-4-1 formation, focusing on compact defensive organization and quick vertical transitions. Alex Meret will start between the posts, shielded by a back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, Sam Beukema and Alessandro Buongiorno as the central defensive pairing, and Leonardo Spinazzola operating on the left.

Billy Gilmour will anchor the midfield, sitting just in front of the defence to dictate tempo and provide passing outlets under pressure. Ahead of him, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Scott McTominay are expected to form the central midfield duo, tasked with breaking up play and driving forward through the middle.

On the flanks, Matteo Politano will occupy the right wing, facing his former club and having already scored three times against them, while Kevin De Bruyne will slot in from the left, offering creativity and long-range threat.

Up front, Lorenzo Lucca is likely to operate as the lone striker, using his aerial strength and physical presence to link play and hold off defenders. Conte’s approach will be to achieve defensive solidity and disciplined pressing, with the intent of catching Inter on the counterattack through the pace and crossing of the wide men.

Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Beukema, Buongiorno, Spinazzola; Gilmour; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Lucca

Inter Milan

Inter Milan will travel to Naples without several key players as they aim to extend their strong run of form. Marcus Thuram remains unavailable after suffering a hamstring injury, leaving Cristian Chivu with a decision to make over his forward pairing. In midfield, Piotr Zielinski, who made 364 appearances and scored 51 goals for Napoli before joining Inter, may once again find himself starting from the bench against his former club, with Chivu preferring more dynamic options in the centre of the park.

The good news for Inter is that several first-team regulars who were rested during the midweek UEFA Champions League fixture are expected to return to the starting lineup. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer, defenders Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Bastoni, and midfield anchors Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu should all feature from the outset. There are no new suspensions in the squad, and Chivu’s main selection dilemma revolves around who will partner Lautaro Martinez up front.

In attack, Chivu is likely to choose between Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito. Bonny, who opened his Serie A account at the Stadio Maradona while playing for Parma, offers a more physical and direct presence, while Esposito has been one of the revelations of the season, recently scoring his first goals in Serie A, the Champions League, and for the Italian national team.

Lautaro Martinez, Inter Milan’s captain and talisman, will lead the line and seek to end his Serie A goal drought against Napoli, having not scored against them in the league since 2022, though he has netted five times in all competitions against the reigning champions. Inter Milan are expected to set up in their familiar 3-5-2 formation, a system that has brought both balance and fluidity under Chivu.

Yann Sommer will return in goal, commanding a back three comprised of Manuel Akanji on the right, Francesco Acerbi in the central role, and Alessandro Bastoni on the left. Their distribution from deep will be vital in building attacks against Napoli’s high press. Wing-backs Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco will provide width and energy on either flank, pushing high to stretch Napoli’s defensive line and deliver crosses into the box.

In midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu will anchor play from the base, dictating tempo and recycling possession, while Nicolo Barella and Henrikh Mkhitaryan operate just ahead of him. Barella’s box-to-box energy complements Mkhitaryan’s creative vision, allowing Inter to control transitions and sustain pressure in advanced areas.

Up front, Ange-Yoan Bonny is the leading candidate to partner Lautaro Martínez. Bonny’s movement and physicality could occupy Napoli’s central defenders, freeing Martinez to exploit half-spaces and combine with midfield runners. Should Chivu opt for a different dynamic, Francesco Pio Esposito offers a more mobile and instinctive option to press from the front and link play in tighter channels.

Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Sommer; Akanji, Acerbi, Bastoni; Dumfries, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Bonny, Martinez

Key Stats

• The last three Serie A meetings between Napoli and Inter Milan have all ended in 1-1 draws, highlighting how closely matched the two sides have been over recent seasons.

• Napoli are unbeaten in their last 15 Serie A home matches at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, winning 12 of them and scoring in every single one since December 2023.

• Inter Milan have kept four clean sheets in their last five Serie A away fixtures, with the only exception being their 4-3 defeat to Juventus in the Derby d’Italia.

• Inter captain Lautaro Martinez has scored five career goals against Napoli in all competitions, though none have come in Serie A since 2022.

• Across all competitions this season, Scott McTominay has been directly involved in six of Napoli’s last ten goals, underlining the growing reliance on midfield contributions amid an injury-hit attack.

Player to Watch

Scott McTominay

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Scott McTominay has quickly become the heartbeat of Napoli’s midfield under Antonio Conte. The Scottish international’s ability to surge forward from deep positions and his timing in arriving late into the box have been central to Napoli’s attacking play in recent weeks. With injuries limiting the team’s forward options, McTominay’s presence has been a vital source of both goals and drive from midfield.

Beyond his scoring contribution, McTominay’s tireless energy and physical dominance allow him to cover ground efficiently, breaking up play and transitioning Napoli from defence to attack. His movement between the lines often draws markers out of position, creating valuable pockets of space for creative teammates, particularly Kevin De Bruyne, to exploit.

Against an Inter side renowned for their compact defensive shape, McTominay’s dynamic runs and relentless work rate could be the key to unsettling the visitors’ rhythm and opening up opportunities for De Bruyne to dictate the game’s tempo.

Prediction

SSC Napoli 1-2 Inter Milan

Both Napoli and Inter Milan enter this contest level on points but in vastly different form. Napoli’s home record and fighting spirit under Antonio Conte should not be underestimated, particularly at the Maradona, where they have been difficult to beat for over a year. However, injuries to key players such as Romelu Lukaku, Rasmus Hojlund, and Stanislav Lobotka could once again limit their attacking balance and midfield control.

Inter Milan, on the other hand, arrive with momentum and confidence, boasting a settled system and an impressive defensive record away from home. Cristian Chivu’s side have been ruthless in transition and clinical in front of goal, while their midfield trio of Hakan Calhanoglu, Nicolo Barella, and Henrikh Mkhitaryan continues to dictate games with composure and tactical discipline.

Napoli’s determination and home advantage might ensure a competitive encounter, but Inter Milan’s superior structure, depth, and recent form give them the edge in this early-season showdown. Expect a tight affair with moments of quality deciding the outcome.