Inter vs Napoli: the complete match guide

San Siro is preparing to host the Nerazzurri’s first big match of the season, with Inter taking on Napoli at the Meazza on Saturday 5 September at 18:00 on Serie A Matchday 3. Cristian Chivu’s side head into the game with a perfect record after wins over Monza and Cagliari in their opening two fixtures, while Napoli are coming off the back of a home defeat to Como following their opening-day victory over Genoa at Marassi.

HEAD TO HEAD

Inter and Napoli have met 160 times in Serie A, with the Nerazzurri recording 70 wins to Napoli’s 48, while 42 matches have ended in draws. Inter vs Napoli is one of Serie A’s great classics, with a long history of memorable encounters and goals. The Nerazzurri have beaten Napoli more times in the top flight than all but one other team, with 70 wins, 42 draws and 48 defeats. They also rank second for goals scored against Napoli in Serie A, with 229. Juventus are the only side ahead of Inter in both categories, with 72 wins and 232 goals. Napoli have proved a difficult opponent for the Nerazzurri in recent seasons, going unbeaten in the last five meetings between the sides with four draws and one win. Inter, meanwhile, have scored in each of their last 16 matches against Napoli. San Siro has traditionally been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Nerazzurri. Of the 80 meetings played at the Meazza, Inter have won 51, compared with nine victories for Napoli. The Nerazzurri are unbeaten in their last nine Serie A home games against Napoli, recording five wins and four draws. The three most recent meetings at the Meazza have all ended level; never before in Serie A history have Inter and Napoli drawn four consecutive matches.

FORM GUIDE

Inter head into the San Siro clash on the back of two wins from their opening two league games, with the chance to make it three victories from three – something the Nerazzurri have not achieved since the 2023/24 season. Across the end of last season and the start of this one, Inter are unbeaten in 12 league matches (seven wins and five draws), which is currently the longest ongoing unbeaten run in Serie A. 

Chivu’s side have played bright, attacking football in their opening two matches, and the numbers underline the Nerazzurri’s intent to take control and create chances. Inter have produced more open-play sequences of at least ten passes ending in a shot or a touch in the opposition box than any other Serie A side (13), with Napoli second on 11. Inter also top the Serie A charts for average passes per game (696), possession (68%), total shots (44) and shots from inside the penalty area (35).

CALHA AND NAPOLI

Hakan Calhanoglu has made a flying start to the season, scoring twice in the opening two matches with two superb strikes from outside the box. Both came inside the opening ten minutes, breaking the deadlock against Monza and Cagliari. The Turkish midfielder needs little invitation: if the ball falls his way and he spots an opening, he is ready to let fly with his right foot. Those two long-range shots have taken Hakan up to 22 from outside the box since making his Serie A debut in 2017. Across Europe’s top five leagues over that period, only Lionel Messi (40), Harry Kane (28), Kylian Mbappé (28) and Kevin De Bruyne (25) have scored more.

Calha is set to lead the Nerazzurri midfield once again against Napoli, a side he has scored five Serie A goals against for Inter. The Turkish midfielder has found the net in each of the last two meetings at San Siro, while two of his five goals against Napoli have come from outside the box.

DISCIPLINARY SITUATION

SUSPENDED Inter: - Napoli: - ONE BOOKING FROM SUSPENSION Inter: - Napoli: -

REFEREE 

Simone Sozza of the Seregno section has been appointed to referee Inter v Napoli on Matchday 3. Referee: Sozza Assistants: Peretti-Baccini Fourth official: Doveri VAR: Di Paolo AVAR: Dionisi

INTER VS NAPOLI: WHERE TO WATCH IT ON TV

The Serie A 2026/27 Matchday 3 fixture between Inter and Napoli will be played on Saturday 5 September at 18:00 and shown live exclusively on DAZN. The match will be available via the DAZN app on smart TVs and can also be streamed on PCs, smartphones and tablets.

UPDATES ON INTER TV 

As always, Inter TV will provide pre-match updates and live links, with all the latest news from San Siro ahead of kick-off. Our pre-match Livematch for Inter vs Napoli will be live from 16:45 and available on the Club’s official YouTube channel until 17:50. After the final whistle, there will be in-depth coverage, analysis and interviews