While the season unfolds, the Nerazzurri remain the team to beat, and after thirty games that reality holds.
Last weekend, Conte's Napoli faced the more difficult challenge in this exciting long -distance racing race. While Interinese organized at home, Napoli was in the right to AC Milan. Both teams won victories, but the weight of Napoli's victory was unmistakably heavier.
Romelu Lukaku was the core of it and sealed Napoli's 2-0 victory with a goal that had special meaning: the 400th of his career. That is not a “mid” striker stat, it's elite. The career of Lukaku could have been even more productive, but his impact remains unmistakable.
What is even more important, he is now the driving force of Conte's Napoli, who reached 64 points with this victory, three more behind League Leaders Inter.
Inter's team depth was completely shown against Udinese. With Lautaro Martínez absent due to an injury and Nicolò Barella from the couch, it was not the usual stars that won the victory. Instead, it was Davide Frattesi and Marko Arnautović, two players who were not considered key figures (not at all), who stepped to secure the crucial three points.
This emphasizes why the quality of Inter in-depth is a game changer, especially because they are preparing for a challenging series of luminaires.
Looking ahead, Inter must still be confronted with Parma, Cagliari, Bologna, Roma, Verona, Torino, Lazio and Como. Napoli, on the other hand, is against Bologna, Empoli, Monza, Torino, Lecce, Genoa, Parma and Cagliari. Although both diagrams have difficult moments, the upcoming matches of Napoli seem considerably more manageable.
It is crucial that the Conte team can concentrate exclusively on the competition, while Inter remains involved in both the Coppa Italia and the Champions League. The Serie A title race is not nearly over yet. On paper, Napoli has the smoother path, but Conte must ensure that his team stays sharp to prevent expensive slip-ups.
In the meantime, Gian Piero seems to have fallen behind Gasperini's Atalanta (what a painful defeat against Fiorentina), which changes a race with two horses.
Conte and Inzaghi will continue their duel, fight for every point, every weekend. Ultimately, the coach who manages the best the resources of his team that lifts the Scudetto. We are ready for an exciting finish.
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