Napoli v Inter: Five takeaways, Inter too nervy, Neres needs lift | OneFootball

With the 3-1 victory over Inter in the big match of the eighth round, the Azzurri take the top of the standings and revive their championship ambitions. But behind the result, there are five key insights that tell more than just a simple victory: from Kevin De Bruyne's condition to David Neres' role, up to the nervousness running through the Nerazzurri locker room.

Napoli-Inter, the five truths from Eurosport: De Bruyne is not Modric, Neres needs to be relaunched, and Inter is too nervous

1. Kevin De Bruyne is not Luka Modric

The comparison is strong but inevitable. In terms of scoring, De Bruyne has made an impact — four goals in the league, all from set pieces — but in Napoli's play, his specific weight still seems far from that of Luka Modric at Milan.

The Belgian alternates flashes of brilliance with moments of tactical isolation, while the Croatian, despite his age, remains the constant pivot of Pioli's system. Complicating matters is the muscle injury that forced De Bruyne to leave the field after the goal that put them ahead. Yet another setback for a player who seems to be experiencing a season of ups and downs.

Conte considers him indispensable, but the management of his minutes will need to be calibrated: the risk is to see the same scenario as during his time at City, with months of stops and forced returns.

2. David Neres needs to play more

Launched by Conte as an atypical center forward, David Neres did not score but made a significant impact. He forced Acerbi into a game of struggles, demonstrating that he can be a valuable tactical weapon against static defenses.

The feeling is clear: the Brazilian deserves more space. His speed and ability to create numerical superiority make Napoli's attack less predictable. If he confirms the performance shown against Inter, he could become one of the keys to the Azzurri's season, especially with Lukaku and Højlund still sidelined.

Conte praised him in the post-match, a sign of growing trust. Perhaps it's time to promote him permanently among the starters.

3. Napoli, Eindhoven is already forgotten

Only four days earlier, Napoli was destroyed in Eindhoven after the 6-2 defeat by PSV in the Champions League. A loss that could have left psychological scars, yet the reaction was immediate.

Against Inter, Conte's team showed concentration, compactness, and hunger. The coach has restored identity and pride to a group that, until a few months ago, seemed fragile. The victory is not just a success in the standings: it is a demonstration of mental strength that confirms Napoli's ability to bounce back immediately after a fall.

A sign of a great team, and of a coach who knows how to strike the right chords.

4. Inter, too much nervousness: the Lautaro warning

The most discussed episode was not a foul or a penalty, but the verbal clash between Lautaro Martínez and Antonio Conte. "You talk, talk but you're scared," the lip-reading of the Nerazzurri captain. "Smile at this f***ing thing," the reply from the Azzurri coach.

Beyond the story, the fact remains: Inter is nervous, and it was also seen in the gestures of Barella and Dumfries, who moved away from the bench after being substituted. The group is united in results, but pressure and frustration are beginning to emerge.

Cristian Chivu will need to intervene to restore calm to an environment that, after years of stability, seems to have returned to oscillating between peaks and internal tensions.

5. Zielinski, a signal that counts double

Coming in cold for Mkhitaryan's injury, Piotr Zielinski provided another positive performance against his former team. Two consecutive hints — after the good game in the Europa League — start to make a case: the Pole can still be useful.

His quality between the lines remains intact, and against Inter, he showed a tactical maturity that makes him a reliable resource in Chivu's rotations. He may not be a permanent starter, but he is the type of player who can change the course of a game when he enters with the right mindset.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.