Serie A: Napoli v Inter title clash, Conte seeks answers, Saturday | OneFootball

At the Maradona Stadium at 6 PM, one of the most anticipated matches of the eighth round of Serie A 2025/26 will take place: Napoli vs Inter, a title-flavored clash between Antonio Conte and Cristian Chivu, two coaches with top ambitions.

Serie A, Napoli-Inter, the title match: Conte seeks answers, Chivu seeks confirmation. Saturday’s matches

Both teams share 15 points and are playing for the chance to move, at least for one night, to the top of the table alone, awaiting Roma-Sassuolo.

On this Serie A Saturday, Parma-Como, Udinese-Lecce, and Cremonese-Atalanta are also being played, matches that could impact the relegation battle and the race for Europe.

Napoli-Inter: two teams at the extremes, two opposite moods

Milan’s draw against Pisa (2-2) has given Napoli and Inter the perfect opportunity to overtake. At the Maradona, the last two teams to win the Scudetto face off, in a duel that could already shape the title race.

Last year, the clash came later in the season and ended 1-1, with Billing’s goal consolidating Napoli’s path to the title. Today, however, the context is completely different:

Conte’s Napoli comes into the match after two heavy defeats: in the league against Torino and in the Champions League against PSV, suffering a shocking 6-2 loss in the Netherlands. An unprecedented result for Conte, who is now called upon to deliver an immediate reaction.

Chivu’s Inter, on the other hand, is in extraordinary form: seven consecutive wins between Serie A and the Champions League, with no goals conceded in European competition. After a last-minute defeat against Juventus, the Nerazzurri have found impressive consistency.

A win at the Maradona would send the Nerazzurri to the top and strengthen their title credentials, restoring to Milan the feeling of being able to dominate once again.

Probable lineups: Neres as a false nine, Lautaro leads Inter

Conte is ready to stick with his 4-1-4-1, but with some changes compared to recent outings. Striker Lucca may start from the bench, while the idea of David Neres as a false nine is gaining ground, given the simultaneous absence of Lukaku and Hojlund. Milinkovic-Savic returns in goal after Meret’s injury, who is sidelined by a fracture to the second metatarsal of his right foot.

On the other side, Chivu changes nothing: he confirms the lineup that overwhelmed Roma with a brilliant 2-0 at the Olimpico. Up front, the Lautaro-Bonny duo gets the nod, thanks to Thuram’s absence but also the excellent form of the young Ivorian striker, now considered the surprise of the season.

Mariani will referee, with kickoff at 6 PM.

The impact of the Champions League and the expected response

The weight of European competitions is being felt: after the heavy Champions League defeat, Conte has demanded a change in mentality. The coach from Salento knows that a win against Inter would serve not only for the standings, but also to reunite the squad and restore confidence to a group that has had a complicated week.

For Chivu, the goal is to confirm the defensive solidity and tactical growth shown in recent outings. Inter currently appears to be the most complete and self-aware team in the league, but they must prove it even in a historically tough stadium like the Maradona.

The other Saturday matches: survival, Europe, and surprises

Serie A Saturday kicks off at 3 PM with two simultaneous matches:

Parma-Como: Cesc Fàbregas dreams of a win to temporarily enter the Champions League spots, while Pecchia aims to consolidate home form.

Udinese-Lecce: a direct relegation battle at the Bluenergy Stadium, with Di Francesco and Runjaic separated by just a few points.

To close out the day, at 8:45 PM, the match between Cremonese and Atalanta: Gasperini’s Bergamo side have just one point more than the Grigiorossi, the revelation of this season’s start. A win would allow La Dea to temporarily overtake Juventus and re-enter the Champions League zone.

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