SempreInter.Com
·3 December 2024
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Yahoo sportsSempreInter.Com
·3 December 2024
Inter Milan president Beppe Marotta has identified pacesetters Napoli as the leading candidates to lift the Serie A title this season.
During an interview with Sportmediaset via FCInterNews, Marotta waxed lyrical about former Nerazzurri boss Antonio Conte.
Conte inspired Inter to their 19th Scudetto in 2021.
However, his departure from the club came weeks after securing the Scudetto under contentious circumstances.
After three years on the road, the 55-year-old returned to Italian football this summer to take charge of Napoli.
Despite his household reputation, few had expected Conte to turn the downtrodden team’s future around on such short notice.
But Conte has quickly re-established the Partenopei as a force to be reckoned with.
Without the distraction of European competitions, his charges have gone from strength to strength in Serie A.
Last weekend’s 1-0 win at Torino extended Napoli’s lead at the summit over Inter to four points.
Simone Inzaghi’s men have a game in hand after Edoardo Bove’s collapse forced the postponement of their match against Fiorentina.
Marotta has addressed the congested fixture schedule in Europe’s top-five leagues, especially Serie A.
“Am I concerned about the tightly scheduled matches? Clearly, all players are under a lot of physical stress, playing many games,” Marotta said.
“I am in favor of an 18-team Serie A, as we are also struggling to recover matches.”
As for Napoli, he believes Conte is capable of winning the Scudetto in his first season at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
“I believe Napoli is the favorite to win the title on merit; it’s normal that they are doing well,” the Inter chief admitted.
“They have a winning coach and a strong team, and I think they can go all the way, fighting for the Scudetto.”
Inter will resume their Serie A season on Friday with a home clash against newcomers Parma.