Twitter-Inter Milan
Antonio Conte’s side will be thriving in confidence after a dramatic turnaround in the Milan derby to win the league fixture by 4-2 by the end of 90 minutes. With that massive win, Inter is now on top of the league with 54 points, the same as Juventus but have a superior goal difference. However, the focus will now shift to the Copa Italia as they take on Napoli in the two-legged semi-finals that could earn them the cup after nearly a decade.
Meanwhile, Napoli is yet to string consistency in spite of having Gennaro Gattuso take the managerial role from Carlo Ancelotti earlier this season. Napoli is currently 11th in the Italian league with 30 points on board.
Match Details
Date- Thursday, February 13
Kick-off- 1:15 AM (IST)
Venue- San Siro
Inter Milan
Antonio Conte has no such injury concerns to address and should have a completely fit squad for the game. Lautaro Martinez is likely to start uptop after missing out the last two games due to suspension. Cristiano Biraghi and Victor Moses could get the nod to feature in the midfield role. Christian Eriksen, Marcelo Brozovic and Nicolo Barella could further fit in. Bastoni, de Vrij and Skriniar could be the three-man defence.
Napoli
Dries Mertens could be given a start to feature at the forward line, while, David Ospina should be replacing Alex Meret who is yet to return to fitness. Elseid Hysaj is ruled out due to suspension, while Nikola Maksimovic and Kalidou Koulibaly will be battling for a spot in central defence. Jose Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne should be coming in at the advanced role.
INT (Expected Playing 11)- Padeli; Bastoni, Vrij, Skriniar; Biraghi, Eriksen, Brozovic, Barella, Moses; Martinez, Sanchez
NAP (Expected Playing 11)- Ospina; Lorenzo, Manolas, Maksimovic, Rui; Allan, Demme, Zielinski; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne
Lautaro Martinez has been lethal on the final third for Inter Milan. The 22-year-old has 11 goals and an assist from 1493 minutes in Serie A this season.
Lorenzo Insigne can pack a punch in the advanced role for Napoli. Insigne has four goals, four assists and a pass accuracy pf 84.8% from 1682 minutes in the league this season.
Marcelo Brozovic is a real asset in midfield for Inter Milan. The Croatian international has three goals, five assists and a pass accuracy of 89.4% from 21 appearances in the league this season.
Dries Mertens has that added quality and flair for Napoli when played upfront. Mertens has five goals, three assists and a pass accuracy of 81.8% from 18 appearances in Serie A this season.
From the last six games between the two sides, two games each have been won by Inter Milan and Napoli, while two games have also ended on level terms in the same time frame.
Inter Milan will be walking in as the favourites in front of home support.
(Disclaimer: Cup competitions can lead to unconventional starting lineups. It is advisable to go through the teams once they’ve been announced)
Team 1
Goalkeeper- D Ospina
Defenders- M Skriniar, S D Vrij, G D Lorenzo
Midfielders- C Eriksen, M Brozovic, Allan, H Lozano
Forwards- A Sanchez, L Martinez (C), L Insigne (VC)
Team 2
Goalkeeper- D Ospina
Defenders- A Bastoni, M Skriniar, M Rui
Midfielders- V Moses, M Brozovic (C), Allan, J Callejon
Forwards- L Martinez, D Mertens (VC), L Insigne
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