What to Watch For: Torino vs Napoli

Round 7 of the still young 2019/20 Serie A season is highlighted by the Derby d’Italia between first place Inter and reigning 8-time champions Juventus for what has already been confirmed to be a record-setting gate attraction for the affair, generating €6,5 million.

However, there are plenty of intriguing matches taking place elsewhere across the continent, including Turin where Walter Mazzarri’s Torino will host Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli.

Here are five things to watch for on Sunday. Continue reading

Pressure on Inter to show San Siro crowd what they are made of

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Before discussing this weekend’s match between Inter and Parma, it is only right to begin by saying what a pleasure it will be to see the Crociati take to the field having completed their lengthy comeback from the depths of despair after being liquidated in 2015. Parma Calcio 1913 have since climbed through the divisions and, to the relief of many, can now call Serie A their home once more. Playing at San Siro is a dream for so many footballers, so there will undoubtedly be a great deal of emotion on show come Saturday afternoon. Continue reading

New season but same old Inter

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“Club: promises maintained, requests all respected. Boss and players: no excuses, no words… head down and win!” Those were the words of Inter’s fanatical Curva Nord support, who clearly believe that their beloved team is sufficiently well-equipped to mount a serious challenge to Juventus’ dominance of Serie A. Given how hard sporting director Piero Ausilio worked to add depth and quality to Luciano Spalletti’s squad, it is very hard to argue with their point of view. Continue reading

Familiar foe Mazzarri will not make life easy for Spalletti’s Inter

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Walter Mazzarri came in for plenty of criticism throughout his spell in charge of Inter between May 2013 and November 2014, with many of the club’s supporters expressing their dissatisfaction with what they perceived as defensive tactics. He had been brought in by then president Massimo Moratti as a safe pair of hands, following the failed experiment of entrusting rookie coach Andrea Stramaccioni with the task of managing an underperforming group of players. Continue reading

Restricting Belotti is pivotal to Inter’s chances of beating Torino

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If Luciano Spalletti and his Inter players want to be considered as genuine title contenders this season, they have no option but to clinch all three points against Walter Mazzarri’s well-drilled Torino side this weekend. That sounds like quite an ultimatum at this very early stage of the campaign, but is merely a consequence of the manner in which Juventus and Napoli came from behind to beat Chievo and Lazio on the opening matchday. Meanwhile, defeat to Sassuolo has already left Inter playing catch up behind their rivals. Continue reading