legendary former AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta expects that the Serie A match between Inter and Napoli immediately after the World Cup break will be a pivotal moment for the fate of the Scudetto.
Speaking to Milan-based newspaper Corriere della Sera in an interview published in today’s print edition, via FCInterNews, the former Rossoneri defender predicted that if the Partenopei can come out on top then the Serie A title will really feel within their reach.
Inter and Napoli will go into their head-to-head clash on January 4 in very different positions based on their respective first parts to the season.
The Nerazzurri have certainly endured a disappointing start, as they have dropped a total of fifteen points so far out of the 45 available, hardly the form of a team who were among the pre-season title favourites.
Meanwhile, the Partenopei have been close to perfect, dropping just four points so far.
“That match, coming after a long and unprecedented break, could give a shock to the title race and start to pile the pressure on Napoli,” Costacurta predicted.
“If Spalletti’s men come out unscathed from the match against Inter, then they will really be able to think about the title.”
“On January 4 the title race could be opened back up, or closed off prematurely,” he predited.