Inter Milan and Napoli go head-to-head at a sold-out San Siro this evening with first place in Serie A firmly at stake and Marcus Thuram returns to Cristian Chivu’s starting XI.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CET, with both sides knowing the result could significantly shape the Scudetto race.
After the measured rotation in Parma midweek, Cristian Chivu has reverted to Inter’s most reliable and in-form XI for the visit of Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
The Nerazzurri coach has opted for continuity, experience and balance in a fixture loaded with tension following the controversies of the reverse meeting.
Inter vs Napoli – Chivu Restores Thuram & Zielinski After Parma Rotation
As expected, several key figures return to the starting lineup.
Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolò Barella, Piotr Zielinski and Marcus Thuram are all back from the first minute, underlining the importance of the occasion.
In defence, Manuel Akanji is once again trusted as the central pillar of the back three, flanked by Yann Bisseck on the right and Bastoni on the left.
Our 1️⃣1️⃣⚫🔵 for #InterNapoli ⚔️
Forza Inter 💪@play_eFootball pic.twitter.com/4byPMGFSfU— Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) January 11, 2026
Francesco Acerbi starts on the bench despite being available, while Matteo Darmian is not included in the squad.
On the right flank, Luis Henrique continues as the emergency solution in the absence of Denzel Dumfries, with Federico Dimarco confirmed on the left.
Zielinski is preferred to Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Sucic in midfield alongside Barella, while Hakan Calhanoglu anchors play in the regista role.
Up front, Chivu puts his faith in the established Thu-La partnership of Thuram and Lautaro Martinez.
Indeed, with both Ange-Yoan Bonny and Francesco Pio Esposito available to change the game from the bench.
Josep Martinez misses out with an ankle sprain.
Napoli Forced Into Changes As Conte Loses Neres
Napoli arrive in Milan significantly depleted.
David Neres has failed to recover from his ankle problem, forcing Conte into a reshuffle.
Leonardo Spinazzola is pushed higher up the pitch, with Eljif Elmas operating between the lines.
Several key absences remain, including Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, leaving Napoli short on experience and physical presence.
Inter vs Napoli – Official Starting Lineups
INTER (3-5-2): Sommer; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Luis Henrique, Barella, Calhanoglu, Zielinski, Dimarco; Thuram, Lautaro.
Bench: Calligaris, Taho, De Vrij, Acerbi, Carlos Augusto, Cinquegrano, Cocchi, Mkhitaryan, Sucic, Frattesi, Diouf, Bonny, Esposito.
Coach: Cristian Chivu
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Di Gennaro, Palacios, Dumfries, Darmian, Josep Martinez
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Di Lorenzo; Elmas, Politano; Hojlund.
Bench: Meret, Contini, Buongiorno, Marianucci, Gutierrez, Mazzocchi, Vergara, Lang, Lucca.
Coach: Antonio Conte
Suspended: None
Unavailable: Lukaku, De Bruyne, Anguissa, Neres, Ambrosino, Gilmour
Referee: Doveri
Assistants: Alassio, Colarossi
Fourth official: Colombo
VAR: Di Bello
AVAR: Di Paolo