Serie A returns after the international break with an early-season heavyweight clash as defending champions Inter Milan host last season’s runners-up Napoli at the Giuseppe Meazza on Saturday, 5 September 2026. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:00 CEST, or 17:00 BST.
Cristian Chivu’s Inter have begun their title defence in convincing fashion. The Nerazzurri opened the campaign with a 4–1 home victory over Monza before securing a hard-fought 1–0 win away to Cagliari. Hakan Çalhanoğlu has been central to their start, scoring Inter’s opener against Monza and the decisive goal in Sardinia. Inter head into matchday three with six points and five goals from their opening two fixtures.
A third consecutive victory would give Inter their first three-game winning start to a Serie A campaign since 2023–24. Lautaro Martínez is still waiting for his first league goal of the season and is expected to lead Inter’s attack, with Pio Esposito among the available forward options after scoring against Monza. Piotr Zieliński and Yann Bisseck were also on the scoresheet in that opening win, underlining Inter’s early attacking depth.
Napoli travel to Milan seeking an immediate response after a 2–1 home defeat to Como. Massimiliano Allegri’s side began the season with a 2–0 victory at Genoa but lost momentum when Como won in Naples in their next outing. Napoli are expected to be without defenders Alessandro Buongiorno, Luca Marianucci and Pasquale Mazzocchi for the trip to San Siro.
The fixture carries added significance following last season’s title race. Inter won their 21st Scudetto in 2025–26, finishing 11 points ahead of Napoli, and Chivu’s team begin the new campaign as one of the favourites to retain the title. Napoli, meanwhile, will view a positive result in Milan as an opportunity to regain momentum and demonstrate that they can again challenge at the top of the table.
Inter are one of six Serie A sides to have won their first two league matches. Victory would give the champions early breathing room in a competitive table, while Napoli can become the first team this season to take points from Chivu’s side.
