Inter and Napoli announced their official lineups before the 18:00 kickoff at San Siro, setting up the first direct meeting of the season with two notable absences: Hakan Calhanoglu and Kevin De Bruyne.
For Inter, the decision was the clearest news of the evening. Cristian Chivu left Calhanoglu out of the starting XI, with the article noting that he was being rested ahead of the Champions League trip to Real Madrid on 8 September at 21:00 at the Bernabeu. That adds an immediate layer to an already important match for Inter, who came in with two wins from two, six goals scored and only one conceded.
Napoli also adjusted its selection for a key league night. The visitors arrived at San Siro having split their first two matches, beating Genoa and losing to Como, and their own Champions League debut was already on the horizon against Arsenal at the Maradona. De Bruyne was left out as Napoli prepared for a demanding stretch.
What the lineups mean
The timing matters as much as the names. This is the first direct meeting between Inter and Napoli this season, and it comes before both clubs turn to Europe. Inter will want to keep its momentum going after wins over Monza and Cagliari, while Napoli is trying to build consistency after an uneven start.
The lineup calls also underline how quickly the calendar is tightening. Chivu has chosen to manage Calhanoglu now, with Real Madrid coming next. Napoli, meanwhile, is already balancing Serie A pressure with its own Champions League opener. In a match like this, the official teams do more than confirm availability. They show priorities, and both clubs made theirs clear before a ball was kicked at San Siro.
