Former Italy international and current Udinese director Andrea Carnevale has suggested that Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti set Inter’s Scudetto success from last season in motion.

Spalletti led the Nerazzurri from 2017 to 2019 and secured a return to the Champions League, before being replaced by Antonio Conte, who then brought Inter a first Serie A title in 11 years in May.

Speaking on Italian radio station Radio Marte earlier today, Carnevale looked ahead at Napoli’s trip to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza tomorrow and hoped Spalletti’s work with Inter would be recognised by the home supporters.

“He’s right that he laid the foundations. He did a great job in Milan, he didn’t win the Scudetto and it was a shame. I hope he’ll be applauded because I think he deserves it,” Carnevale argued.

Meanwhile, Inter will be without centre-back Stefan De Vrij after he picked up an injury on international duty with the Netherlands last week and Carnevale felt this could be a significant absence, particularly against Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.

“It’s a very important absence, [Andrea] Ranocchia is a good player but he is not De Vrij. [Alessandro] Bastoni’s recovery is a positive, he is strong and experienced despite his young age. Let’s say that Osimhen will have to face excellent defenders, but I don’t think he is afraid.”

With Napoli already seven points clear of Inter in the title race, Carnevale admitted that a win for the visitors could be decisive and that he had seen greater maturity from the Partenopei this season.

“We can absolutely talk about the Scudetto if Napoli win. Maybe I am wrong, but this year I have never seen Napoli suffer, this is a team that shows that it has personality, strength and confidence to lead the game.

“Apart from the draw against Verona, in the others matches I saw a real team. Inter are still a strong team, they still have the Scudetto on their chest. It won’t be easy because they clearly want to beat the top team and they are still the reigning Italian champions. But if they win, Napoli would move clear,” he concluded.