On Saturday, September 5, 2023, Inter Milan will face Napoli at the iconic San Siro stadium in a highly anticipated Serie A Matchday 3 encounter. The match is set to kick off at 18:00 local time, and both teams are eager to make their mark early in the season. Inter, under the guidance of Cristian Chivu, enters this fixture with a perfect record, having secured victories over Monza and Cagliari in their first two league matches. Conversely, Napoli is looking to bounce back from a disappointing home defeat to Como, following their initial win against Genoa on the opening day of the season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD HISTORY
The rivalry between Inter and Napoli is one of the most storied in Serie A, with a total of 160 encounters in the league. Inter holds the upper hand with 70 wins compared to Napoli's 48, while 42 matches have ended in a draw. This matchup is often regarded as one of the classic fixtures in Italian football, characterized by intense competition and memorable moments. Notably, Inter has outperformed all but one team in terms of victories against Napoli, and they have also scored 229 goals against them in Serie A, second only to Juventus. In recent years, however, Napoli has proven to be a challenging opponent, remaining unbeaten in their last five meetings, which include four draws and one win.
Historically, San Siro has been a fortress for Inter against Napoli. Out of 80 matches played at the Meazza, the Nerazzurri have won 51 times, while Napoli has secured only nine victories. Inter is currently on a nine-match unbeaten streak at home against Napoli in Serie A, with five wins and four draws. Interestingly, the last three encounters at San Siro have all ended in draws, marking a unique occurrence in Serie A history.
CURRENT FORM
As Inter prepares for this crucial match, they are riding high on their recent form, having won their first two league games. A victory against Napoli would mark their first time achieving three consecutive wins since the 2023/24 season. The Nerazzurri's impressive unbeaten run extends to 12 league matches, comprising seven wins and five draws, making it the longest active unbeaten streak in Serie A at present. Their attacking style has been evident, as they lead the league in several key statistics, including total shots, shots from inside the penalty area, and average possession.
KEY PLAYER TO WATCH
Hakan Calhanoglu has emerged as a standout performer for Inter this season, netting two spectacular goals from outside the box in the opening matches. His ability to strike from distance has made him a significant threat, and he has scored five goals against Napoli during his tenure at Inter. Calhanoglu's knack for finding the back of the net early in games makes him a player to watch as the two teams clash.
DISCIPLINARY SITUATION
No players from either team are currently suspended, but both squads will need to be cautious, as any player on a yellow card is just one booking away from suspension.
REFEREE ASSIGNMENT
Simone Sozza from the Seregno section will officiate the match, supported by assistants Peretti and Baccini, with Doveri serving as the fourth official and Di Paolo and Dionisi overseeing VAR duties.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
The highly anticipated clash between Inter and Napoli will be broadcast live on DAZN, starting at 18:00 on September 5. Fans can catch all the action through the DAZN app on various devices, ensuring they don't miss a moment of this exciting Serie A matchup.
As always, Inter TV will provide pre-match coverage and live updates leading up to kick-off, with a special Livematch segment available on the club's official YouTube channel.
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