Inter Milan and Napoli go head-to-head at a sold-out San Siro this evening with first place in Serie A firmly at stake and Marcus Thuram returns to Cristian Chivu’s starting XI.Kick-off is scheduled...
Inter Milan and Napoli go head-to-head at a sold-out San Siro this evening with first place in Serie A firmly at stake and Marcus Thuram returns to Cristian Chivu’s starting XI.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CET, with both sides knowing the result could significantly shape the Scudetto race.
After the measured rotation in Parma midweek, Cristian Chivu has reverted to Inter’s most reliable and in-form XI for the visit of Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
The Nerazzurri coach has opted for continuity, experience and balance in a fixture loaded with tension following the controversies of the reverse meeting.
Inter vs Napoli – Chivu Restores Thuram & Zielinski After Parma Rotation
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 26: Piotr Zielinski of FC Internazionale Milano runs with the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Atletico de Madrid and FC Internazionale Milano at Estadio Metropolitano on November 26, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
As expected, several key figures return to the starting lineup.
Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zielinski and Marcus Thuram are all back from the first minute, underlining the importance of the occasion.
In defence, Manuel Akanji is once again trusted as the central pillar of the back three, flanked by Yann Bisseck on the right and Bastoni on the left.
Francesco Acerbi starts on the bench despite being available, while Matteo Darmian is not included in the squad.
On the right flank, Luis Henrique continues as the emergency solution in the absence of Denzel Dumfries, with Federico Dimarco confirmed on the left.
Zielinski is preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sucic in midfield alongside Barella, while Hakan Calhanoglu anchors play in the regista role.
Up front, Chivu puts his faith in the established Thu-La partnership of Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.
Indeed, with both Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito available to change the game from the bench.
Josep Martinez misses out with an ankle sprain.
Napoli Forced Into Changes As Conte Loses Neres
NAPLES, ITALY – FEBRUARY 09: David Neres of Napoli during the Serie A match between Napoli and Udinese at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on February 09, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Napoli arrive in Milan significantly depleted.
David Neres has failed to recover from his ankle problem, forcing Conte into a reshuffle.
Leonardo Spinazzola is pushed higher up the pitch, with Eljif Elmas operating between the lines.
Several key absences remain, including Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, leaving Napoli short on experience and physical presence.
Inter vs Napoli – Official Starting Lineups
MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 25: Marcus Thuram of FC Internazionale celebrates with his team-mate Lautaro Martinez after scoring their team’s forth goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Torino FC at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on August 25, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.Bench: Calligaris, Taho, De Vrij, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Cinquegrano, Cocchi, Mkhitaryan, Sucic, Frattesi, Diouf, Bonny, Esposito.Coach: Cristian ChivuSuspended: NoneUnavailable: Di Gennaro, Palacios, Dumfries, Darmian, Josep Martinez
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Di Lorenzo; Elmas, Politano; Hojlund.Bench: Meret, Contini, Buongiorno, Marianucci, Gutierrez, Mazzocchi, Vergara, Lang, Lucca.Coach: Antonio ConteSuspended: NoneUnavailable: Lukaku, De Bruyne, Anguissa, Neres, Ambrosino, Gilmour
Category: General Sports
