Inter vs. Napoli: Stats and trivia

MILAN - Boxing Day action is almost upon us in Serie A, with Inter set to take on Napoli at the Meazza. In collaboration with Opta, here are all the relevant stats ahead of the match.

This will be clash No.145 between Inter and Napoli in Serie A, with the Nerazzurri picking up 63 wins to the Partenopei’s 45 – there have also been 36 draws. The last league encounter between the two finished 0-0, with Inter and Napoli not playing two consecutive goalless draws since February 1994 (three on that occasion).

This will be the 73rd time that Inter have hosted Napoli at home in Serie A, during which the away side have only 13 percent of their matches (nine out of 72) – 46 wins for the hosts and 17 draws. Inter have won two of their last seven home games against Napoli in Serie A (three draws and two defeats), previously winning all eight vs. the Partenopei. In the 72 top-tier matches between Inter and Napoli in Milan, the Nerazzurri have scored exactly double the number of goals as the opposition (136 vs. 68).

Inter are fresh from six successive home wins in Serie A, with the Nerazzurri not achieving a longer streak since February 2017, then reaching eight. Inter have also kept a clean sheet in their last five league matches in Serie A – not keeping more at home since April 2010 (seven). During seven of the last eight homes matches in Serie A the home side have scored the opening goal (16 in total).

Among the teams he’s played more than once against in Serie A, MauroIcardi’s lowest rate of goalscoring is against Napoli (eight percent – two goals from 25 shots). His most recent goal was in April 2016 at San Siro. Icardi’s next strike in Serie A will take him to goal No.120, matching Cristiano Lucarelli in 50th place in the all-time list of Serie A top scorers.

Stefan de Vrij has scored two goals in his last three matches against Napoli, although has still lost in every game that he’s found the net –including a 4-1 defeat. MatteoPolitano made his Serie A debut against Napoli, coming in August 2015 for Sassuolo. IvanPerisic was back among the scorers against Chievo, breaking a drought that had lasted since September. On that occasion, he scored in two consecutive games against Torino and Bologna. Among the Serie A goalkeepers with at least four Serie A appearances, Orestis Karnezis has the best save percentage (84.6 percent), while SamirHandanovic is third with 77.8 percent.

As for the coaches, LucianoSpalletti has the better record when it comes to clashes with Carlo Ancelotti in Serie A. The Tuscan tactician has eight wins, while his counterpart has six. Ancelotti’s last Serie A encounter against the Nerazzurri was in February 2009, losing 2-1 in the derby after goals from Adriano, Stankovic and Pato.