The two Serie A powerhouses lock horns in the box office fixture of Serie A round 33 as fourth place Internazionale take on current runners-up Napoli.
Inter Milan trail AS Roma in third place by six points, with a win crucial to keeping the pressure on Luciano Spalletti’s men for that coveted final Champions League place. Napoli themselves, ironically, are six points behind leaders Juventus, with the Partenopei’s Scudetto dreams hanging by a thread.
Roberto Mancini’s side goes into this clash with three wins from their last five outings in the league, while Napoli have won four in their last five. This clash has all the ingredients for a thriller, with a victory for either side keeping their respective aims achievable going into the final five rounds of the Serie A season.
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Key Battle – Marcelo Brozovic vs Allan
Now a key player for the Nerazzurri, Marcelo Brozovic has been the one tasked with creating spark and breathing life into a stale Inter midfield that was having difficulties creating chances for much of the season. With the Croatian now coming to the fore, Mancini’s setup has regained identity and aim in their style of play.
Differing from Brozovic in the way he runs the midfield, Allan’s powerful running and energy in getting up and down the field is always a crucial element for any potential Neapolitan success. The Brazilian is a fundamental cog in Sarri’s 4-3-3 formation, with his box-to-box play ensuring he is able to make critical contributions in defence, as well as late runs into the box to get on the end of any chances created.
With Brozovic capable of dictating the tempo of the game and unlocking defences with his vision and passing range, the 23-year-old will be vital to his side throughout the coming 90 minutes. Allan’s dominating physical presence and tireless running, however, will also be telling in who comes out on top in this much anticipated encounter. Whoever wins this midfield battle will likely push their team on to claim maximum points.
Team News
For Inter, defenders João Miranda and Yuto Nagatomo are available for selection once more after serving a one match ban following their red cards against Torino. With no injury concerns, Mancini has a full squad to choose from.
Like their opposition, Napoli also have a full compliment to select from. That is, of course, barring 30-goal-man Gonzalo Higuaín, who will be serving the second of his four match suspension while this game is played. A monumental blow for the away side to be without its star man, however, Manolo Gabbiadini is a more than capable deputy, having scored 18 in 21 starts in all competitions for the Partenopei.
Expected Inter Milan starting XI (4-2-3-1): Handanovic (GK); D’Ambrosio, Miranda, Murillo, Telles; Medel, Brozovic; Biabiany, Jovetic, Perišic; Icardi
Expected Napoli XI (4-3-3): Reina (GK); Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamšík; Callejón, Gabbiadini, Insigne
Head-to-head
One would have to wind the clock back to December 2012 for the last time Inter defeated Napoli in the league. 2-1 was the final result on that day, with Fredy Guarín and Diego Milito the scorers for the Nerazzurri. Edinson Cavani got one back for the away side, yet it was not enough. Since then, Napoli have defeated the Milanese three times and drawn the three other encounters in the league.
Previous Meeting
The last time these two met in Serie A, the Neapolitans walked out 2-1 winners at the Stadio San Paolo. Higuaín scored twice for the Azzurri and Ljajic halved the deficit, though Napoli were lucky to claim maximum points from that clash in the end.
Prediction
Despite being without Il Pipita, Napoli have enough firepower to overcome their Milanese opponents. Inter, though, will put up a fight as they usually do and are expected to get on the scoresheet, having scored at least once in their last six home games. Sarri’s side will be dynamic in midfield and lethal up front as they always are and should provide too stern a challenge for Inter’s defence.
Inter Milan 1 Napoli 2
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