Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has decided to retain Ange-Yoan Bonny in attack for tonight’s Serie A showdown against Napoli, partnering captain Lautaro Martinez at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
This evening’s Matchday 8 clash kicks off at 18:00 local time (17:00 BST) in Naples, as Inter look to extend their impressive winning streak in both Serie A and the Champions League.
Oggi in campo così 👇#NapoliInter | @play_eFootball pic.twitter.com/3510k7QZb6
— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter) October 25, 2025
The Nerazzurri arrive on the back of seven consecutive victories across all competitions and will aim to maintain their momentum against a Napoli side under pressure after recent setbacks.
The hosts, meanwhile, have struggled to match last season’s consistency but remain a dangerous opponent at home under Antonio Conte.
Chivu has several absences to manage, with Marcus Thuram, Matteo Darmian, Raffaele De Gennaro and Tomas Palacios all unavailable for selection.
The French forward is targeting a return after the upcoming international break as he continues recovering from a muscle issue.
Napoli Vs Inter Milan – Bonny Keeps His Place As Chivu Backs Lautaro Martinez
All eyes will be on the Inter attack, where Bonny has once again been trusted to start.
The 22-year-old French striker partners Lautaro Martinez from the first whistle. Therefore, Chivu continues to show faith in his young forwards.
Meanwhile, Lautaro, fresh from decisive performances for both club and country — leads the line as Inter’s captain and reference point.
With Bonny retaining his spot, Francesco Pio Esposito is expected to start from the bench and could feature in the second half if needed.
Stability Across The Pitch For Inter Milan
Elsewhere, Chivu has opted for continuity across the pitch.
Therefore, keeping faith in the same structure that has delivered results in recent weeks.
Yann Sommer starts in goal behind a familiar back three of Akanji, Acerbi and Bastoni. On the flanks, Denzel Dumfries and Federico Dimarco provide width, athleticism and crossing threat.
In midfield, Nicolò Barella, Hakan Calhanoglu and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all play.
In conclusion, Inter will again look to control possession where possible. All while remaining alert to Napoli’s aggressive pressing and quick vertical breaks.
Official Starting Lineups – Napoli Vs Inter Milan: Bonny Retains His Place In Attack
Napoli (4-1-4-1): 32 Milinkovic-Savic; 22 Di Lorenzo, 4 Buongiorno, 5 Juan Jesus, 37 Spinazzola; 6 Gilmour; 21 Politano, 99 Anguissa, 11 De Bruyne, 8 McTominay; 7 Neres.
Substitutes: 25 Ferrante, 55 Spinelli, 3 Gutierrez, 17 Olivera, 20 Elmas, 26 Vergara, 27 Lucca, 30 Mazzocchi, 31 Beukema, 35 Marianucci, 69 Ambrosino, 70 Lang.
Coach: Antonio Conte
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Meret, Hojlund, Lobotka, Rrahmani, Lukaku, Contini
Inter Milan (3-5-2): 1 Sommer; 25 Akanji, 15 Acerbi, 95 Bastoni; 2 Dumfries, 23 Barella, 20 Calhanoglu, 22 Mkhitaryan, 32 Dimarco; 14 Bonny, 10 Lautaro Martinez.
Substitutes: 13 J. Martinez, 40 Calligaris, 6 De Vrij, 7 Zielinski, 8 Sucic, 11 Luis Henrique, 16 Frattesi, 17 Diouf, 30 Carlos Augusto, 31 Bisseck, 94 Esposito.
Coach: Cristian Chivu
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Thuram, Di Gennaro, Darmian, Palacios
Referee: Mariani.
Assistant referees: Bindoni – Baccini.
Fourth Official: Ayroldi.
VAR: Marini.
Assistant VAR: Pezzuto.
Well. The penalty was a mystery as ref blows after 8 seconds, without any VAR check. That would barely be a freekick so why suddenly decide for penalty is shady af. That said, yes we create and waste chances, but completely shut down in second half which is scary. And yes, we do mistakes, but where the F is the spirit. So what that Acerbi is slow, he should drag/tackle Anguissa down, or do whatever it takes to stop him. Basto and Calha on Mctominays goal were horrible as well, just jogging back when opponent have a counter attack. Where is the mentality, the winning spirit, hard tackles, that makes the opponent suffer and bleed? Instead Basto takes on a yellow by pushing Politano away for no reason…… Sometimes I swear we look like scared kittens.
2 big games and we conceded 7 goals let’s wait against Liverpool and Arsenal see where we are in terms of how strong we are
Maybe you’ll be surprise Inter might do well against those teams because when refs acts to favour against you it becomes difficult. The narrative of match against Juve would’ve been different if it ended in a draw-no VAR used on winning goal then against Napoli who were struggling to create anything a penalty that in an age of VAR doesn’t stand a chance is in fact given without VAR review by the ref. So Inter actually have a chance playing those big teams and getting a result more than in serie a. Also the fact that Conte didn’t get a red is beyond crazy and just further justifies Inter’s
As I said previously when Inter lost to Juve, the Calcio cult would try their best to stop Inter having the Scudetto as usual, just looking back the history.
Delusional inter fans here think that we will win anything with acerbi, bastoni and mikhitqryan and all the others. I’m happy I stopped watching this sh*t of a team. And I recommend others to so. We all know who will win the scudetto and that’s not inter. Where are all the g*ys that still want chivu to stay?
Fuck off dipshit
Keep watching this “great inter” and see how far you get this year hahahaha clown
its called being a fan, you fucking moron…. not some sad twat who only watches when you win….
Nobody said anything about you not being a fan clown. You can watch all you want I don’t give a shit about what you do so stop arguing with me like a Karen.
What kind of glory hunter are you you sad fuck
We are not going to win anything this year. This team was not good enough last year and it’s not good enough this year.
And they are 1 year older.
You’re right, our defence is not enough for big teams, PSG scored 6. Do you remember that.
Never a pen, luckily it didn’t decide anything because we are so lost in the middle of the park and defence.
Hakan needs a slap, scoring a pen aside he’s been missing for a while.
Sucic showed promise and got MOTM then has suddenly been put in the frattesi box of just 10 mins out of position ♂️
Wit our formation we NEED to use Dumfries & Dimarco, we did not today and whatever you think of conte he made adjustments at half time, got his team going again after we looked like the better side and 2nd half was always only 1 winner.
Chivu seems fine when things go his way, but when a team adjusts on the fly he has no answers and just throws max subs at it – essentially the opposite problem to Inzaghi who never did any subs
Some happy middle ground with an actual plan is too much to ask for?!
Long season ahead many ups and downs but we need a proper CDM and CB none of this future prospects crap, actual players who can start every week. In fact barella looked far better dropping back to CDM I know he doesn’t like it but his performances were better there. If that worked the it’s just a CB. And maybe a tricky speedy guy who can play LW & ST loan from some prem club.
Footballs a funny old game!
PSV destroyed Napoli 3 days ago ♂️
SERIE A IS VERY FAR BHIND OTHER LEAGUES, LEAGUE WHERE REFS DECIDE. IT IS A PITY NO ONE IS WATCHING NONSENSE GAMES IN MY COUNTRY LIKE THIS- LAST SEASON CACIONAPOLI; NOW CACIO … WHO?
as I said the problem for inter is always themselves. I don’t think the given penalty was the problem as we totally lost our domination in the second half. the team was solid for first 45th. it’s just we are never clinical in crucial situations. I’m surprised conte didn’t play safe after winning in the first half. it’s huge disappointment.
Didn’t start watching the game until 17-30, so I’ve not been able to speak until now…. Props to Napoli for the win- McTominay and Anguissa with great goals, although from my perspective, both showed why we needed to invest in a Centre Centre back this summer…. exactly where was Acerbi for either?? Straight down the middle!! Inter were guilty of wasting chances in the first half- Lautaro, Bastoni and Dumfries all guilty of not putting very good chances on target…. Bonny had a bit of a stinker today, and then second half, we were basically a non entity! Slightly concerning how Zielinski seems to have jumped up in the pecking order, as he’s done pretty close to zero since we signed him! Chivu tried to roll the dice I guess, but a midfield trio of Sucic, Zielinski and Frattesi offers nothing in terms of steel, so you kinda knew that we wouldn’t get back into it from there…. Having said all that, there is a but, and it’s a Jennifer Lopez sized But…. this all came about from the initial penalty in the first half, at a time when Inter had started the game quite well…. I’ve been watching Serie A for 36 years now, and that has to be the most bent decision I’ve ever seen!! A penalty for what?? There was absolutely nothing in it! The commentators on DAZN didn’t seem to know what it was given for? The ref saw nothing (because there was nothing) allowed Inter to play on past the halfway line, and then suddenly blows for a penalty????? And then VAR agree…. agree with what??? I am honestly baffled by that, and it leaves a very sour taste in the mouth… I can take a defeat, but if you give a team like Napoli a goal start at home, you need everyone to be playing to their maximum, and that was far from the case for us tonight…. We will dust ourselves down, and go again midweek….
In all segments of play we were terrible, second halftime one of the worst ones in the last couple of years. Attack wasteful, midfield nonexistent since Mhiki left the pitch, defense was falling apart. I know we’ve been playing with 3 back for a long time, and it’s working for the most part, but when you see that your defense is too slow, in midfield we were bullied like a highschooler came to playground of an elementary school, change fucking something. Put 4 back, more players in midfield, and not just sending long balls to Pio who has 3 guys on his back.
The reason for Napoli’s win is simple, they don’t waste their chances. Also, now we all know what to expect from Inter this season, so we can lower our expectations.
To be honest, this summer transfer window was the worst I remember. It was a complete joke. Our financial situation is not that good, so we should ask, who did the scouting of Diouf and Henrique? What were the reasons behind signing those two?
And not to mention Zalewski sale, that was one realy dumb decision. Something could have been done to convince Pavard to stay. I think he’d play better under Chivu.
We improved attack, but overall this team is weaker than the one from a last season.
As for a tactical aspect of this game, since Chivu prefers high pressing the players who don’t fit his style are Accerbi and Chala. They were good for Inzaghis park the bus style, but for a fast paced football you can’t rely on them.
I like what Chivu is trying, but he’ll have to figure it out what to do with his current team. For everything to function perfect in this team he’ll need a good and fast ccb with attacking skills, creative mf (someone like Paz) and a younger version of Mkhitaryan. Mkhi despite his age has an insane work rate and somehow he fit into Chivu’s system, he is everywhere, (he could improve his finishing though) and we lost the midfield after he was subbed.
the problem of acerbi now is what you said, but in inzaghi’s system he was covered by midfielders so he rarely left his post when we got counterattacks. having CCBs you said wouldn’t guarantee the defense is safe. I’m not defending him here because I love him even though he’s declining too much due to aging. like you said, chivu needs to evaluate how the teams should defend. conte exploited dima’s side too much and left acerbi to cover basto’s position since he doubled down with dima. 3 or 5 at the backs doesn’t really make difference unless you’re defending collectively.
I’m trying to think positively that this napoli just lost big against PSV so conte knows how to exploit the team he used to manage, at least the players weaknesses. it’s not like against juve where one player really stood out. I don’t chivu is gonna be replaced anytime soon so prepare yourself to see him evolving for better or worse
That non-existing penalty made everything much more difficult. We had to chase the equalizer and spending much energy. In the end we didnt have any intensity. The sh*tty referee made the difference. Hopefully this gifting Napoli (and Milan last week) will come to an end!
Team looks so tired and this season just started…
It has come to a point when Henrique comes on and Inter needs a win then there’s just no hope. Dumfries scores goals and you leave him when you need one. INter did miss a few goals in the first half but after the Hakan penalty the whole plot was lost with only a single strategy of going long to Lautaro and Pio like everytime.
As I said last week, the Roma game highlighted Chivu’s lack of experience. Professor Conte taught him a lesson today.
I am sure Chivu can easily get us a top 4/UCL spot, but beyond that the lack of experience might be a too big of a barrier for him this season. In the UCL too the games vs Liverpool, Arsenal, Dortmund and Atletico might let us disappointed.
The team needs to stay calm and take its time to start a new winning cycle. Rome was not built in a day.
inter gameplan to predictble, no creative pace player… middfield look like fking somalia pirate, stupid… dumbass must sold in january, backpass, backpas n backpass until the end.. fkkk.. defend wow.. acerbi, akanji the duo turtle with no brain.. terrible… sommerr lol.. n chivu… wtf he coaching inter.. he still uses inzagi tactic.. sent to wide area or backpass until he get suck.. moron
we seriously need to get us a psychologist.. the moment we saw a bad penalty call going against us, we put our head down and gave up. we need to learn shit happens and get on with the game. that being said we really need players who can run at defenses… the closest we have had to someone like that was zalewski.. and we decided to sell him for peanuts… seriously… can’t make this up
At least we need to play with an AM behind the strikers. I can see Frattesi or Hakan playing in that role, with Barella, Mikhi and Sucic rotating in the 2 CM spots.
we really needed lookman… lookman behind toro and Thuram… we would have been golden
we got another PSG style beating tonight, slice us through the middle like no business, playing a DMF against team playing defend to counter is plain stupid, they put 2 players surrounding Hakan and that’s it, we’re losing the transition battle, that’s how Juve even Udinese finished us.
Other than the penalty all other goals were conceded from individual runs that Inter’s defenders just didn’t want to make any challenge. Also after the goal from Inter all that was done was long balls to Pio who couldn’t control any of it. However if Inter just decided to keep the ball I don’t think Napoli would’ve had the chance to create those chances from individual players
thanks oaktree!! apart from that ridiculous penalty, Napoli truly deserved the win.