Serie A official line-ups: Inter vs. Napoli
Quick summary
Official starting line-ups have been confirmed for the Serie A match between Inter and Napoli.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceInter do not give John Stones his first start behind Lautaro Martinez and Francesco Pio Esposito, as Napoli look to Rasmus Hojlund and Antonio Vergara after losing Scott McTominay.
It kicks off at San Siro at 17.00 UK time (18.00 CEST).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from today’s three Serie A games on the Liveblog.
MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 11: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli heads the ball whilst under pressure from from Hakan Calhanoglu of FC Internazionale Milano during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) This was the Scudetto showdown for the last two seasons, with Napoli taking the title in 2025 and Inter last term, and both are also gearing up for the start of the Champions League.
The Nerazzurri won both Serie A tests so far with Monza and Cagliari, and are taking their time to break in some summer signings.
Andy Diouf is preferred to Luis Henrique, as Djed Spence is still working his way back to full fitness, with Curtis Jones on the bench.
Lautaro Martinez and Pio Esposito are the front two again, as Marcus Thuram is not at 100 per cent.
It was reported that John Stones would get his first start in defence, but instead he is rested, along with Hakan Calhanoglu.
MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 05: Lautaro Martinez of Inter celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AS Roma at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 05, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Napoli have had a rough start to the campaign, as the injury crisis from last season seems to have carried on with new problems into this.
The 2-1 home defeat to Como brought with it added issues, as Scott McTominay will be out for several weeks after needing heart surgery to correct a mild, benign arrhythmia.
Giovane also required an operation for a sports hernia, with Alessandro Buongiorno and Luca Marianucci already long-term absentees.
COMO, ITALY – MAY 02: Kevin De Bruyne of SSC Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Como 1907 and SSC Napoli at Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on May 02, 2026 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) Kevin De Bruyne made good impacts off the bench in the first two games, but is not fully fit, so Antonio Vergara steps into a deeper midfield role.
Hojlund is again flanked by Alisson Santos and Matteo Politano.
Napoli are unbeaten against Inter since the Supercoppa Italiana Final in January 2024, managing one win and four draws.
NAPLES, ITALY – AUGUST 30: Massimiliano Allegri, Manager of Napoli, looks on during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Como 1907 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on August 30, 2026 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images) Inter vs. Napoli line-ups Inter: J Martinez; Bisseck, Akanji, Bastoni; Diouf, Barella, Zielinski, Sucic, Dimarco; Esposito, Lautaro Martinez
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Marin, Spinazzola; Anguissa, Lobotka, Vergara; Politano, Hojlund, Alisson Santos
05-09-2026 17:00
MatchDay 3
San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
Inter
Napoli
vs
Season Analytics
Inter
Positions
Napoli
SEASON TOTAL INT HOME 1 0 0 2 0 0 Last matches 30-08-2026
Cagliari
W
0 - 1
22-08-2026
Monza
W
4 - 1
22-08-2026
Monza
W
4 - 1
3 10 Position SEASON TOTAL NAP AWAY 1 0 0 1 0 1 Last matches
1 - 2
L
Como
30-08-2026
0 - 2
W
Genoa
22-08-2026
0 - 2
W
Genoa
22-08-2026
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What happened
The official starting eleven have been announced for the Serie A fixture between Inter and Napoli. Line-up announcements are significant as they reveal the tactical choices and availability of key players ahead of a top-flight match between two title-contending sides. The confirmed XIs give the clearest indication of each manager's approach to the game.
Chance analysis
Confirmed line-ups for a fixture between two of Serie A's strongest sides give the clearest window into each manager's tactical thinking on the day. The choices in midfield, attack, and defence reveal whether either side is rotating, managing fitness, or playing to a specific game plan. For fans tracking the title race, the selections themselves — and any notable inclusions or omissions — carry as much weight as the result.
Confirmed availability and tactical setup of both squads directly shapes expectations for the Inter vs Napoli match.