Former Inter fullback Francesco Colonnese believes that the Nerazzurri can beat league leaders Napoli on Wednesday by limiting their possession.
Simone Inzaghi’s side welcome Napoli to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in the first competitive match since the World Cup break, as they seek to close the gap on the Serie A leaders to eight points with victory.
Whilst Napoli are yet to lose in Serie A this season, Colonnese suggested that there was a way to beat the Partenopei, in an interview with FCInter1908.it, but admitted that the game was far more important to Inter than it was to Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli.
“Undoubtedly I think it’s more decisive for the Nerazzurri than for Spalletti’s team. If you want to make up for lost time, you have to try to shorten the gap. A turnaround is needed and this is the right occasion,” Colonnese declared.
“Napoli have always had possession this year, they have made the most of their qualities in doing so.
“Inter will have to be good at taking this strength away from them, my feeling is that if they dribble well they could put them in trouble. When Napoli had to chase their opponents at certain times they suffered more,” he added.
Colonnese, who also represented Napoli on loan during his career, offered his thoughts on who Inzaghi should select to start the game, with a debate over the midfield role previously occupied by Marcelo Brozovic but filled by Hakan Calhanoglu before the break.
“Calhanoglu and Brozovic should both play. It will also depend on the choices Inzaghi makes in attack, with the possible use of Henrikh Mkhitaryan behind Edin Dzeko,” he continued.
“Romelu Lukaku can do well, but we need time. Inter now need certainties, so I assume that initially Inzaghi will choose another solution. I can see Romelu on the pitch maybe later in the game.”
Inter are currently awaiting confirmation on the future of centre-back Milan Skriniar, with lengthy negotiations yet to yield a new contract agreement for the Slovakia international.
“I didn’t understand much about it. They seemed to be far apart, then at one point closer and now they are further apart again.
“He would definitely get more money abroad, we’ll see how much he wants to stay. If he chooses not only for the money, but also for the role in the dressing room and the environment, then he should stay at the Nerazzurri.
“I hope he makes that kind of assessment and chooses to stay at Inter for his own good,” he concluded.
Colonnese joined Inter from Roma in 1997 after spending the previous two season on loan at Napoli, and made 56 appearances for the Nerazzurri.
