Chivu trusts his best XI as Inter Milan face Napoli
The Nerazzurri coach relies on his core lineup, with Lautaro-Thuram leading the attack and key midfield choices settled
The Nerazzurri coach relies on his core lineup, with Lautaro-Thuram leading the attack and key midfield choices settled
After Inter Milan’s win against Parma and Napoli’s draw in Verona, Chivu’s side gained two crucial points on their direct rivals. Ground was also made up on AC Milan, held at San Siro by Genoa.
Now comes the decisive head-to-head on Sunday night. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport via Fcinter1908, Chivu has made his choices clear and will rely on his trusted starting eleven.
Inter Milan: the chosen lineup
To rewrite recent history in big matches, Chivu has already decided his team. The coach is set to field once again the lineup that defeated Atalanta and Bologna in succession, slightly adjusted due to rotation in the midweek win in Parma.
Up front, the ThuLa partnership returns, with Lautaro Martinez and Thuram leading the attack.
On the right flank, Luis Henrique is set for his tenth consecutive start, a stubborn yet necessary choice.
In defence, Akanji will operate centrally between Bisseck and Bastoni, while in midfield Zielinski is preferred to Mkhitaryan as the left-sided attacking midfielder.
“Chivu is banking on the hunger and strong form of the former Napoli man to win the battle of ideas,” La Gazzetta writes.
Alongside Zielinski, Calhanoglu will anchor the midfield, facing Lobotka in a duel dubbed “the Oscar for playmaking”, with Barella tasked as the dynamic runner to counter McTominay.
“There are 16 centimetres between Barella’s 175 and McTominay’s 191,” the paper notes, “but the Italian makes up for it with energy and running power.”
Never more than now has Barella’s contribution been strategic rather than flashy. Since Dumfries’ injury left Inter Milan exposed on the right, Chivu has leaned heavily to the left, with Dimarco the only option.
The team tilts towards that side, but Barella also plays a crucial role in supporting the more cautious Luis Henrique.
The Brazilian is improving, but he is a more tactical and less physical winger than the Dutchman he replaced. When Henrique holds his position, it is the former Cagliari midfielder who attacks the space.
Napoli: Neres still in doubt
On the Napoli side, La Gazzetta dello Sport casts doubt over David Neres’ availability.
“If faces reflect emotions, Neres looks more out than in for Inter Milan vs Napoli,” the paper writes, pointing to the discomfort the Brazilian is still feeling.
There remains a slim hope, with a final assessment scheduled for this morning to decide whether he can travel to Milan.
Should Neres pass the test and give the green light, Antonio Conte would take him on the plane, even if only to have him on the bench.
Beukema is expected to return, along with Vergara, while Napoli cling to the hope of waking up on Sunday to better news regarding Neres.
“For now, though,” Gazzetta concludes, “reality on the eve of the match tells a different story.”