Inter manager Cristian Chivu started Piotr Zielinski and Francesco Pio Esposito, while Napoli coach Massimiliano Allegri fielded Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund.
Inter entered matchday three with six points from two games, while Napoli held three points following a home defeat against Como seven days earlier.
The fixture was scheduled for 18:00 on 5 September at San Siro, with referee Simone Sozza from Seregno leading the match officials.
Inter manager Chivu selected Yann Aurel Bisseck to complete his three-man defensive backline alongside Manuel Akanji and Alessandro Bastoni in front of goalkeeper Josep Martinez, with Bisseck winning the defensive ballot for the starting position. On the wide flanks, Diouf and Federico Dimarco held their places as wing-backs in Inter's standard 3-5-2 system. In central midfield, Hakan Calhanoglu was left out of the starting lineup in an unexpected benching, allowing former Napoli midfielder Piotr Zielinski to operate in the central playmaking position flanked by Nicolo Barella and Petar Sucic. The forward line saw Francesco Pio Esposito retain his place in attack to partner captain Lautaro Martinez. Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri organized his team in a 4-3-3 formation while managing the absence of Scott McTominay, who is ruled out until after the upcoming international break. Alex Meret was confirmed in goal, protected by full-backs Leonardo Spinazzola and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, with Rafa Marin and Amir Rrahmani forming the central defensive pairing. Antonio Vergara was selected in midfield ahead of Kevin De Bruyne, joining Stanislav Lobotka and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. Rasmus Hojlund spearheaded Napoli's front three, flanked by Matteo Politano and Alisson on the wings.
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The fixture at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium brought together the title winners of the previous two Serie A campaigns, following Napoli's league title two years ago and Inter's title win last season. Inter entered the third round of the domestic season with maximum points from their first two fixtures, having secured consecutive victories over Monza and Cagliari. Inter was one of six clubs holding a perfect record in the Serie A standings at the start of the matchday. A victory at San Siro would temporarily lift Chivu's squad into sole possession of first place, moving ahead of Como following their Friday night victory over Genoa at the Luigi Ferraris stadium in Marassi. Napoli traveled to Milan in need of recovery after collecting three points from their first two games of the season. Allegri's side had begun the campaign with an opening-day victory against Genoa, but subsequently suffered a home defeat seven days earlier against Cesc Fabregas's Como team.
The matchday three fixture was scheduled for Saturday, 5 September, with kickoff at 18:00 local time at San Siro in Milan. Italian broadcast coverage for the contest was held exclusively by DAZN, available to subscribers via both streaming platforms and television channels. The refereeing delegation appointed Simone Sozza from Seregno as the head match official on the pitch. Sozza was supported on the field by assistant referees Peretti and Baccini, with Doveri performing fourth official duties along the technical areas. Video assistant referee responsibilities were assigned to Di Paolo in the VAR operations room, assisted by Dionisi.
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Cristian Chivu's side targets a third consecutive win to top the league table as Massimiliano Allegri's Napoli looks to rebound from a home loss to Como.
AI text based on reports by Corriere della Sera and Fanpage. Published .