Hojlund-less Napoli limping into battle as Inter smell blood
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 25.10.25. | 14:23
Antonio Conte's men face his former side (7 pm) without the injured Danish striker, eager to overcome the ongoing crisis
Milan's unexpected 2-2 draw with Pisa at San Siro has changed everything. Suddenly, the clash between Napoli and Inter at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this Saturday (7 pm) is no longer about survival - it's about ambition. As the Italian saying goes, "better two wounded than one dead." A draw tonight would no longer be a tragedy for either side.
Still, the prize is too tempting to ignore. Top of the table is at stake. Napoli are desperate to erase the memory of that European nightmare in Eindhoven (2-6), while Inter arrive chasing their eighth straight win.
Bad news rarely comes alone, and for the Neapolitans it's pouring. The crisis in results and form has been fueled by injuries - too many, too serious. Rasmus Hojlund was the great hope to return for this game, but recovery didn't come in time. His absence hurts twice: Conte doesn't trust Lorenzo Lucca to lead the line, and on the final training session in Castel Volturno, he even tested Neres as a false nine. If Lucca's omission is confirmed, it would be a bitter blow, both for the striker and the club that paid €35 million for him.
And the list doesn't end there. Goalkeeper Meret is out, Lobotka - the brain of this team - is out, and Rahmani too. In other words, Conte is missing the entire spine of his side: goalkeeper, defensive leader, playmaker, striker.
Another worrying sign? The Maradona won't be full. Despite the visit of Inter, several of the most expensive tickets - priced between €140 and €215 - remain unsold. In the past, with Napoli chasing first place, the stadium would have burst at the seams. Not this time. The mood has shifted.
There is, however, one bright note. Scott McTominay seems to be reborn. The Scot's double in Eindhoven could mark the turning point of his season, a sign that he's finally shaking off his early struggles.
While Napoli tend their wounds, Inter look unstoppable. Confidence sky-high, fitness levels perfect, all the key players in form. Christian Chivu's rotations have worked to perfection - everyone’s fresh and ready.
The Inter coach rested his main men in Brussels and will field the same eleven that started against Roma: Akanji, Acerbi, Barella, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco and Bony all back from the start. Since the Juventus defeat, Inter have won twice in Serie A without conceding: 2-0 against Cagliari, 1-0 against Roma, and tonight's test will show whether the Nerazzurri truly have what it takes for a 21st Scudetto.
Two duels could define the night: Barella vs. De Bruyne, and Politano vs. Dimarco.
Barella looks reborn under Chivu, playing with the same fire that made him one of Italy's best. On the other hand, sparks keep flying between Conte and De Bruyne - a relationship still far from smooth. Despite decent numbers, the Belgian hasn't yet settled fully into his new surroundings.
The last three meetings between Napoli and Inter all finished 1-1. The latest draw at the Maradona, with Billing's late goal, felt like a victory for Napoli and set the tone for their title run. But history warns us: the two sides have never drawn four in a row. And neither has shared the spoils this season - not in Serie A, not in Europe.
Something's got to give tonight.
SERIE A - MATCHDAY 8
Friday
Milan - Pisa 2-2 (1-0)
/Leao 7, Athekame 90+3 - Cuadrado 60 pen, Nzola 86/
Saturday
16.00: (3.70) Parma (3.40) Como (2.05)
16.00: (1.85) Udinese (3.45) Lecce (4.50)
19.00: (3.00) Napoli (3.20) Inter (2.45)
21.45: (5.60) Cremonese (3.70) Atalanta (1.65)
Sunday
14.30: (2.30) Torino (3.10) Genoa (3.40)
17.00: (4.20) Sassuolo (3.45) Roma (1.90)
17.00: (2.35) Verona (3.10) Cagliari (3.30)
19.00: (2.70) Fiorentina (3.05) Bologna (2.80)
22.45: (3.30) Lazio (3.25) Juventus (2.40)
***odds are subject to change***
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