Inter midfielder Marcelo Brozovic will come up against Napoli’s Stanislav Lobotka on Wednesday, with Partenopei coach Luciano Spalletti having a strong influence on both players.
As reported in today’s newspaper edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serie A clash between Inter and Napoli holds particular significance in the midfield battle, due to Spalletti’s history with the Nerazzurri.
The former Roma coach led Inter from 2017 until 2019, before joining Napoli last year, and it was under him that Brozovic established himself as a first team player for the Nerazzurri.
The Croatia international had suffered a difficult season in 2017-18 and was booed off the pitch during a match against Bologna in the February, just weeks after a move to Sevilla had fallen through.
Having previously been used as an attacking midfielder and even a winger, Spalletti changed Brozovic’s role and played him alongside Roberto Gagliardini in front of the defence for a match against Napoli on 11 March 2018, and the former Dinamo Zagreb man excelled.
Coming up against a formidable midfield of Jorginho, Allan, and Marek Hamsik, Brozovic established himself in his new role and continued to impress during Croatia’s run to the 2018 World Cup final.
Spalletti is now utilising Lobotka in the same role to great effect in his Napoli side, with the Partenopei clear at the top of Serie A and on course for the title.
