Inter Milan enters the field this Saturday (3) with the future of its Italian title in play. Current Serie A champion, the team led by Simone Inzaghi faces Hellas Verona amid the wear and tear of an intense season, while the most rested leader Napoli visits the threatened Lecce.
In April, Inter played nine matches, against only four from Napoli. The game marathon culminated in the elimination in the semifinal of the Italian Cup to Milan. Despite this, the club still dreams of Champions League, for the semifinal.
Striker Marcus Thuram returned from injury and scored, but the captain, aiming at the duel back against Barcelona, next Tuesday (6).
On the other hand, Verona, 15th place, still fights relegation and needs to score, even with direct clashes against Lecce and Empoli on the horizon.
Napoli, now led by Antonio Conte, reaps the fruits of a season without European competitions and a lighter calendar since early elimination in the Italy Cup. After momentarily losing the lead to Atalanta, the Neapolitan team resumed the top with a sequence of 10 unbeaten games.
With four rounds remaining, Napoli has three points of advantage over Inter. For the game against Lecce – which has not won for 11 matches – Conte will not be able to rely on the injured defender, but must have the return of the Anguissa midfielder.
