Inter and Milan face off in key early Scudetto battle while Napoli seek revival
Sunday evening in Milan brings the spotlight to the clash between the city's premier football clubs at the San Siro, with the Serie A summit at stake, as struggling Napoli aim to regroup following the international pause.
Inter Milan top the standings, edging Roma on goal difference, while Italy's elite league makes its return to the legendary stadium after it witnessed the national side's tough loss to Norway over the recent weekend.
Cristian Chivu's squad hold a two-point advantage over AC Milan, who occupy second position ahead of Roma in third, setting up this pivotal encounter for the weekend.
Inter have triumphed in 11 of their past 12 outings across all tournaments, their sole setback in that sequence occurring against Napoli last month, positioning them as prime contenders for the Scudetto crown.
Post-derby, Inter head to Atletico Madrid, where they could secure advancement to the Champions League knockout phase, having dominated all four prior European fixtures.
Marcus Thuram might feature in his initial start for Inter since September, having overcome a hamstring issue that sidelined him from France's World Cup qualifying games last week and in October.
However, Denzel Dumfries may sit out the derby due to an ankle problem, prompting Carlos Augusto to shift from the left side to deliver width on the pitch.
AC Milan welcome back Adrien Rabiot after his calf strain from international service with France last month, with manager Massimiliano Allegri anticipating both him and fellow midfielder Luka Modric to debut in a Milan derby.
The defending champions Napoli match Milan's 22 points, yet despite their involvement in the title race, tensions simmer in Naples, where Antonio Conte took a brief break during the international window to regain composure.
Conte vented frustration following Napoli's 2-0 loss to fifth-placed Bologna, a side just three points shy of the top before their Saturday journey to Udinese.
The 56-year-old declared he refused to "accompany the dead", alluding to a squad he viewed as passionless, fuelling speculation about his potential exit ahead of Saturday's home game against Atalanta.
Conte must manage without vital midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa, sidelined by a hamstring injury sustained with Cameroon, an absence extending into next year that has enraged Napoli's president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who calls for compensation from national teams for injured players.
On Saturday as well, Luciano Spalletti resumes efforts to resurrect Juventus against last-placed Fiorentina, the club where the 66-year-old honed his skills in the youth setup during the 1970s.
Born close to Florence, Spalletti launched his extensive coaching journey at nearby Empoli more than three decades ago, now revisiting Tuscany as Fiorentina languish at the foot of the table, eager to salvage their campaign under fresh manager Paolo Vanoli.
Player to watch: Ademola Lookman
Lookman has endured a challenging campaign, partly due to his pursuit of a transfer to Inter in the summer, resulting in exclusion by Atalanta's previous boss Ivan Juric.
Yet with Juric dismissed and Raffaele Palladino appointed, fresh opportunities arise for the Nigerian striker in the matchup against Napoli at home.
Lookman, with just one goal since rejoining the squad in September, shone in Gian Piero Gasperini's last Atalanta lineup, and he remains crucial if Palladino aims to lift the Bergamo outfit from their slump.
The 28-year-old displayed evident dissatisfaction with Juric after an early withdrawal in Atalanta's Champions League victory over Marseille, but Palladino offers him a platform for redemption.
Key stats
6, The gap in points between table toppers Inter and sixth-placed Juventus.
5, Hakan Calhanoglu and Riccardo Orsolini top the goal tally with five each, followed by 12 others on four.
Fixtures (times GMT)
Saturday
Cagliari v Genoa, Udinese v Bologna (1400), Fiorentina v Juventus (1700), Napoli v Atalanta (1945)
Sunday
Verona v Parma (1130), Cremonese v Roma (1400), Lazio v Lecce (1700), Inter Milan v AC Milan (1945)
Monday
Torino v Como (1730), Sassuolo v Pisa (1945)