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Serie A's return to action following Christmas break hasn't produced any fireworks yet, but Napoli and Inter Milan could change that when they lock horns tonight.
Antonio Conte's side are beaming with confidence at the top of the table, but haven't beaten any of the proverbial 'big teams' yet. Napoli, on the other hand, are struggling for form despite a change of stewardship.
With six draws and five defeats already, the Neapolitans face a real prospect of missing out on a Champions League spot. Carlo Ancelotti may be long gone, but his successor Gennaro Gattuso is the one who has to sort out the mess. He did oversee a win in his last game against Sassuolo, thanks to a fortuitous own goal.
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Conte so far has made a big impression at the San Siro, having breathed new life into Inter with a silky and attractive attacking approach that has turned this team into a genuine title contender. However, questions remain over Inter's results in big games.
They've lost to Juventus and drew to AS Roma, whilst also losing in both legs to Barcelona in the Champions League, and even blowing up a 2-goal lead to Borussia Dortmund.
If Inter want to cement their status as firm favourites for the title, then a win here would go some distance in helping their cause.
Here's how a combined XI made up of players from Napoli and Inter would look like.
Goalkeeper: Samir Handanovic (Inter Milan)
Seasons come and go, but Handanovic is still the undisputed No.1 in goal for Inter like he's been all through these years. And at 35, continues to be as impressive as ever too.
The evergreen Slovenian has registered seven cleansheets from 17 appearances - the most by any goalkeeper in the league so far and conceded only seven times. His heroics have also seen him average 2.5 saves per game.
The perpetually underrated Handanovic has come to Inter's rescue on multiple occasions in the past, and this season has been no different. Even though Napoli are struggling in attack, his interventions will be crucial in eking out a vital victory.
Centre-back: Stefan de Vrij (Inter Milan)
The Dutchman has seamlessly slotted into Inter's system since arriving in 2018, and is currently witnessing another great run in the league. His consistency and defensive nous have helped Inter maintain an enviable defensive record of conceding only 14 goals so far - the lowest in the league, whilst also leaving an impression in the final third with a goal and four assists.
Centre-back: Milan Skriniar (Inter Milan)
Skriniar has grown from strength to strength to become an indispensable member of the team, and the fact cannot be further accentuated considering he's started every league game for Inter so far. He's made a big impact in Inter's stoic backline, throwing his weight around the defense and averaging almost three clearances per game.
Centre-back: Kostas Manolas
Napoli seemed to have pulled off a coup when they announced the signing of AS Roma star Kostas Manolas. Especially enticing about this deal was the prospect of his defensive pairing with Kalidou Koulibaly, another Serie A great. But conceding seven goals from the first two games poured cold water over all the ecstasy. And whilst the Senegalese has struggled with fitness thereafter, the Greek has had issues in finding his footing. He's appeared out of sorts this season, but here's an ideal occasion to rise to the fore and remind everyone of his talent.
Midfielder: Marcelo Brozovic (Inter Milan)
Gone are the days where Brozovic was identified for sloppy and shambolic performances on the field, and sulky and snoppish off it. The Croat's now a reformed player under Antonio Conte, assuming greater role for his side than he's ever before. He is now the cog that keeps the Inter machine spinning - a regista who's clever, line-breaking passes not only pushes Inter through the opposition lines, but also provide an effective for the back-three when they press high. What's more, he's also scored twice and assisted four times!
Midfielder: Fabian Ruiz (Napoli)
Few midfielders out there can claim to be as versatile as this Spanish starlet. Still only 23, Ruiz has already plied his trade across various positions in the midfield without coming a cropper, whilst also boasting an excellent passing range. He always attempts penetrative passes and creates chances at will. Ruiz has also scored and assisted thrice each in all competitions. If he's able to overcome his illness and start the match, Napoli will have a significant boost.
Midfielder: Allan (Napoli)
Dynamic, energetic, tenacious and tactically versatile, Allan is yet another underrated midfielder. The Brazilian is a beacon of shining light in this inconsistent Partenopei side, turning in impressive shifts in various positions across the midfield. He possesses great passing technique, whereas Allan's dribbling skills have seen him average 2.5 dribbles in all competitions. His ability for long passes helps his side start an offensive play after winning back possession, and his penchant for tackles (3.5 average) is crucial in stopping attacks from the opposition too.
Right winger: Antonio Candreva (Inter Milan)
Candreva hasn't particularly been impressive this season, but nevertheless important to his side. He more than makes up for his lack of defensive nous by always getting into the thick of the things up front. To give you an idea, the 32-year old has scored twice and assisted four times from only 10 starts, whilst also averaging 1.6 key passes per game. His pace and stamina enables him to cover the flank effectively, whereas his penchant for putting things on the plate for strikers with long balls can come to bite the flimsy backline of Napoli.
Left winger: Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)
The Pole would have to do much better if he were to emulate his stats of seven goals from last season as he's managed to strike only once so far this campaign. But that isn't to suggest he's gone AWOL, not by any means: Zielinski has indirectly made his presence felt in the attacking third by averaging 2.4 shots per game and 1.4 key passes. He is also an excellent passer of the ball with 89% accuracy. In fact, his apperance off the bench in the 2-0 win over Liverpool was so striking, it even garnered him accolades from Jurgen Klopp!
Striker: Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan)
Napoli are packed to the rafters with attacking arsenal, but it's a shame that none of that has translated on to the pitch so far, mostly owing to Carlo Ancelotti's regressive tactics.
Inter's in-form striker Martinez has struck more (8) than what the Partenopei's strike duo of Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens have accrued in the league combined (7).
And the Argentinian ain't no flat track bully, for he knows how to show up in big games having netted a goal each against Juventus, Barcelona, in both legs to Borussia Dortmund, and also a brace in the nervy win over Sassuolo.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan)
Martinez's strike partnership with Lukaku knocks it's Napolean counterpart well out of its park, as the former Manchester United hitman too is witnessing some sort of a renaissance with Inter.
In his first 17 appearances in the league, Lukaku has scored 12 goals - as much as he managed in the whole of last season with the Red Devils. He currently trails only Ciro Immobile of Lazio in the race for the Serie A Golden Boot, and appears unstoppable at the moment.
Napoli's fragile defence is there for the taking.
