Marotta: ‘Napoli Scudetto contenders, Inzaghi can follow Conte’

Inter President Beppe Marotta knows Antonio Conte better than most and insists Simone Inzaghi is ‘heading towards that type of career path’ as the Napoli coach.

It kicks off at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in San Siro at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s five Serie A games on the Liveblog.

The battle at the top of the table has become extraordinary after Napoli’s 3-0 home defeat to Atalanta last week.

Going into this game, Inter are just one point off the Partenopei, who are in turn now caught by Atalanta, Lazio and Fiorentina following today’s victories.

Marotta predicts Inter-Napoli Scudetto race

Marotta already worked with Conte at Juventus and then brought him in to win the Scudetto at Inter, so nobody knows him better.

“Napoli are certainly a candidate for the Scudetto. I know Conte well and I know the club, they have all the credentials to fight to the end,” Marotta told DAZN.

“I consider Conte to be a winning coach, but our Simone Inzaghi is also heading towards that type of a career path.”

Inzaghi rotated the squad midweek in the Champions League against Arsenal, perhaps telling the players that the previous game with relegation strugglers Venezia was just as important.

“I do believe that with so many games close together and having a suitable squad at our disposal, it is only right that he rotates. We say there are no first-choice players, they are all on the same level and choices are made considering both the characteristics of the match and the form at that time.”

It has been said that Napoli have the added advantage of not playing in the Champions League, so they are not distracted by midweek commitments. However, could this be seen as practically a Champions League level of test for Inter?

“Napoli are nonetheless an important club who have experience of European football, Conte certainly does, so we need a performance of the highest level and I am convinced we will do very well,” concluded Marotta.