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Inter vs Napoli: Four game changers who could make the difference in Serie A showdown
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The Serie A title race has been as tight as widely predicted this season, but as we head into the second half of the campaign, it looks as though it may come down to a three-horse race.
Inter lead the way right now, three points ahead of rivals Milan, and reigning champions Napoli, a point further back on the top two.
This weekend, we're set to see another twist in the tale as in-form Inter host Napoli in a potentially title-defining meeting between last season's top two.
Earlier this term, it was Anotiono Conte's side who bested the Nerazzurri, but which stars will make the difference when the two giants go head-to-head in matchday twenty's headline act?
Lautaro Martinez
The obvious matchwinner comes in the shape of Inter's talisman, who's been a massive reason behind the club's title charge this season.
Oddly, the Argentine doesn't seem to get enough acclaim outside of the San Siro, but the Inter skipper is a hero in Milan, and it's down to performances like we've seen this term.
So far, Martinez has scored 10 goals, putting him top of the Capocannoniere race, and added four assists, making him one of the most prolific players in the league for goal involvements.
As the leader in an attack that has also seen Marcus Thuram and Ange-Yoan Bonny among the goals too, the striker is proving what a world-class goal getter he is.
If Napoli have any chance of getting something from Sunday's game, then they'll need to keep the forward quiet.
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Scott McTominay
The Napoli midfield has been bereft of injuries this season, with Kevin De Bruyne, Frank Anguissa and Stanislav Lobotka all missing sustained periods, but the club's constant has been their super Scot.
Last season's Serie A Player of the Year is proving that his debut campaign in Italy was no fluke and is once again leading the charge as he helps them try to defend their crown.
True, he's not quite been at the swashbuckling level he was for most of 2024-25, but has found vital goals and performances just when Antonio Conte has needed them.
He opened the team's account for the season in the opening day win over Sassuolo, and was on hand against Inter in the reverse fixture in October to net a goal that saw Napoli go top of the table.
As we get head towards the business end of the season, there's no doubt McTominay will once again have a huge influence in Naples and the destination of the championship.
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Federico Dimarco
For all of Inter's attacking talent this season, one of the most dangerous has come from the left-hand flank, in wing-back Dimarco.
Boss Cristian Chivu has favoured a 3-5-2 system for most of the campaign, and it's given the defender a licence to roam forward, a role which he's excelled in.
So far, he's contributed five assists - only one behind league leader Nico Paz - and scored three times for the Nerazzurri, making him one of the most attacking outlets in the league.
In fact, no defender has created more chances in the league this season than the Italian, with only Genoa's Aaron Martin ahead of him in the entire league.
The supply line from Dimarco will need to be stopped if Napoli wants to blunt one of Inter's biggest attacking weapons.
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Rasmus Hojlund
Napoli haven't been able to call upon the services of Romelu Lukaku so far this season, and Kevin De Bruyne has spent most of the campaign on the sidelines, which has meant the most effective attacker has been the on-loan Dane.
That may surprise some, who may have felt that Hojlund's spell in Naples so far has been good, without being great, but it's a notion that could be aimed at Napoli as a whole in 2025-26.
The striker has six goals and two assists to his name so far in all competitions, and has looked much sharper and more involved than at any time during his time at Old Trafford last term.
What has been perhaps missing from Hojlund's season so far is a match-winning performance to really endear himself to the Napoli fans and really establish himself as the champions' focal point in attack.
Sunday's match against league leaders Inter gives him the ideal opportunity to be the difference maker for Antonio Conte.
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