The dangerous crossroads has arrived. Napoli-Inter means many things, starting with the Benitez-Mazzarri duel. Both ambitious and prepared, but above all with a past in what will be the rival team tonight. Rafa spent several times in Milan and Walter in Naples: the Spaniard was only the first in the (long) post Mourinho list, the Tuscan instead spent four seasons on the slopes of Vesuvius. Both achieved important goals (Club World Cup and Italian Super Cup for Benitez, Italian Cup and two Champions League qualifications for Mazzarri), both broke up badly with their respective former presidents. But if the love between De Laurentiis and WM was at least strong, the same cannot be said for the Moratti-Rafa couple, never really hit by Cupid's arrow. "I brought two titles to Inter and a profit of thirty million, achieved with qualification for the round of 20.45 of the Champions League: these are the facts" teased Benitez with a touch of anger, "I don't talk, but only facts and I believe that the fans know how to recognize the merits of a coach" reiterated Mazzarri in reference to the words of De Laurentiis. In short, the spotlight will be on the two benches in particular, at least at the beginning. Because then we will play (XNUMX pm) and then the scene will be all for the players. Napoli would seem to arrive better at the Sunday postponement, fresh from the beautiful and useless victory over Arsenal, against three consecutive draws collected by Inter. But the European commitment could have taken away important energies from the Azzurri, thus leveling a challenge that promises to be very interesting. The stakes are high for both: Napoli (who will take the field already knowing Juve's result) must win if they want to rekindle hope for the Scudetto, Inter must at least draw in order not to stray too far from third place.
The lowest step of the podium appeals to Thohir, so much so that many hypothesize a sort of frost with Mazzarri, in the feeble expectation of merchant reinforcements. “I feel like laughing – however the Nerazzurri coach denied. – I have been in football for 35 years and I have the experience to say that these are non-existent speeches”. Yes, but then what is the goal for the season? “I tell my boys never to be satisfied and to get as high as possible – reiterated WM. – We face one of the strongest teams in the league and I would like to review the good football shown up until a few games ago”. On the Naples front, a lot of energy, at least according to Rafa Benitez. “It will be a difficult match, a direct confrontation – explained the Spaniard. – We want to win to detach them further, but we will have to play with the same intensity we had against Arsenal”. The help of San Paolo will also be needed, rather cold against Udinese, who could reserve a not exactly triumphal welcome for Walter Mazzarri. “He and the club have done a great job here – defended Benitez. – If we were able to play in the Champions League, it's thanks to him. But I don't care about how our stadium will welcome him, as long as they encourage us ”. The Spaniard, who will obviously confirm the home 4-2-3-1, is grappling with some training doubts. First of all Reina, who has been called up but is not yet at his best: the former Liverpool player could make it, otherwise it will still be Rafael's turn. The same goes for Behrami, who should be replaced by Dzemaili. The novelty could be the use of Callejon on the trocar, with Pandev who would thus sit on the bench. Some doubts also for Mazzarri, especially in defense. The usual Frog-Rolando ballot is back on time, but this time the two could play together at the expense of Juan Jesus. In between WM has to choose between Taider (favourite) and Kovacic, but can celebrate Nagatomo's return from the first minute. There is no uncertainty ahead of both: Higuain and Palacio will be there, and how if they will be there. It will be up to them to fully ignite an already quite pyrotechnic challenge.
