Capello explains Inter-Napoli key duels and praises ‘wise’ Inzaghi

Fabio Capello believes Inter coach Simone Inzaghi was ‘wise’ to keep his stars Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco ‘fresh’ for his side’s home meeting with Napoli, as the two will be involved in a key ‘duel’ during the clash.

Both Bastoni and Dimarco started Inter’s Champions League game against Arsenal on the bench mid-week, and Capello thinks it was important to spare them from the ‘workload’ required by limiting ‘a tough opponent like Bukayo Saka’.

The two players will start against Antonio Conte’s side, who will deploy Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Matteo Politano on that same flank and such a battle could mark the course of the game.

Capello: Inzaghi ‘wise’, Kvaratskhelia ‘unpredictable’, Inter-Napoli key duel

“Conte has had a week of training to prepare his Napoli’s strategy, while Inzaghi hasn’t had that luxury,” the former Milan and Juventus manager wrote for La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“However, he [Inzaghi] was very wise because, against Arsenal, he rested Bastoni and Dimarco, sparing Inter’s left side from a tough opponent like Saka. That additional workload could have weighed down the pair for the Napoli clash, but now Bastoni and Dimarco will be fresh for tonight’s encounter.

“On that side, the duel with Di Lorenzo and Politano will be one of the factors that can light up the game. In particular, the two Italian national team full-backs are a potentially lethal weapon for breaking down opposing defences, but they struggle when they need to defend.

“On paper, Inter has a slight advantage because they defend with five, and Dimarco is more protected compared to Di Lorenzo, who plays in a four-man defence and is therefore more exposed in one-on-one situations.

“At the San Siro, he’ll have more than one reason to worry about – in addition to Dimarco’s offensive push and Bastoni’s build-up play, there will be Mkhitaryan’s runs, as he also only entered in the second half against Arsenal.”

However, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s fantasy could be Napoli’s own ‘trump card’ according to Capello, although the Georgia international will be opposed to in-form Denzel Dumfries.

“On the other side, Napoli will play their trump card by relying on Kvara’s creativity,” Capello explained.

“The Georgian forward is unpredictable and can provide goals and assists; he can strike at any moment. He’ll likely face Dumfries and won’t have an easy time: the Dutchman is in great shape and can counter Kvara’s moves with speed and physicality.

“Beyond the one-on-ones, though, Inter will need to be solid, compact, and focused.”

Capello believes Conte faces ‘risks’ against Inter’s attack

Hakan Calhanoglu has fully recovered from injury and will start his first Serie A game since returning from injury, an addition that Capello defines ‘crucial’ and will help Inter defend better than they did recently without the Turkey internationa.

“Calha is crucial for the way he coordinates the rest of the team on the field, guiding his teammates in their positioning,” the former coach added.

“That’s why I believe that defending will be less complex for Inter than it was, for example, in the Italian derby against Juventus.”

Strikers will always be extremely influential for the two teams’ strategy, with former Nerazzurri player Romelu Lukaku set to return to a hostile San Siro, but Capello also underlines the importance of set pieces.

“Conte is the coach who faces more risks: stopping Thuram is a complicated task, especially in this season, where the Frenchman has also improved his finishing,” he wrote.

“His greatest asset remains his ability to make the entire Inter team move every time he receives the ball in stride: with a single touch, he can create, open spaces for teammates (especially Lautaro, of course), and break the opposition’s marking.

“Napoli will rely on Lukaku, the ideal attacking reference for Conte’s style because he can hold up play when he receives the ball in transition.

“The point is that the Lukaku we’re currently seeing doesn’t always manage to do it: if the Belgian shows up as he did at San Siro against Milan — a game in which he also scored — Napoli can challenge Inter’s defence. And Acerbi will have his fair share of work to do.

“From corners and free kicks, Inter has the means to strike: Inzaghi knows he can count on excellent headers, great specialists like Calhanoglu and Dimarco, and players who can capitalise on loose balls for shots from distance or well-timed runs, such as Barella.

“Maintaining focus is crucial, as every break, even a small one, can decide the match. And a piece of the championship.”