When Inter Milan and Napoli final met within the Serie A, it produced fireworks on the San Siro.
On that ocassion, it was Simone Inzaghi's males that got here out on prime in a five-goal thriller - with Hakan Calhanoglu, Ivan Perisic and Lautaro Martinez all scoring within the emphatic win within the Italian capital.
That consequence noticed Inter cut back Napoli's lead on the prime of the desk to only 4 factors however three months on, the roles have now reversed.
Now, it is Inter main the pack with Napoli looking them down and with solely only one level between them this time, there's much more at stake.
Napoli are Serie A's most in-form staff for the time being, having gained 4 of their final 5 video games, and are dreaming of profitable their first league title because the glory days of Diego Maradona.
It has been over three many years since Napoli final acquired their fingers on the Scudetto and a win on Saturday can be essential if they're to show their goals right into a actuality.
'Now we have lots of targets this season and the Scudetto is one in all them,' star striker Victor Osimhen stated after a 2-0 win over Venezia. 'So step-by-step and with willpower, I feel we'll get there.'
Inter have a sport in hand on their title rivals however the Nerazzurri will nonetheless be reeling from that devastating defeat within the Milan derby final weekend.
A lot was fabricated from Inter shedding star striker Romelu Lukaku to Chelsea and supervisor Antonio Conte strolling out, earlier than finally ending up at Tottenham. Achraf Hakimi additionally packed his baggage for PSG and Inter would possible collapse, many thought.
That they had expended a lot power to go and win the title and but now below the rule of Inzaghi, the Nerazzurri are nicely and actually within the combine to defend their Scudetto crown.
'If we performed it once more 10 occasions, we would lose it as soon as,' Inzaghi stated after a 2-1 derby defeat. 'Everyone knows how necessary the derby is, we did not need to lose, however that's soccer.'
Lose in Naples on Saturday night time and Inzaghi, who's trying to replicate the title success he had as a participant with Lazio in 1999-2000, won't be able to cover the strain.
Inzaghi has accomplished brilliantly to choose up the place Conte left off and has even managed to get Alexis Sanchez firing. The Chilean netted within the 2-0 Coppa Italia win over Roma in midweek and is having fun with a mini-revival within the Italian capital, which might want to proceed in one other essential prime of the desk conflict.
Inter's report towards different prime 4 sides in spectacular neither is it woeful. The Nerazzurri have managed 5 factors from two conferences with AC Milan and clashes with Juventus and Napoli.
In the meantime, Napoli boast a barely higher big-game report, choosing up seven factors from a potential 12 towards prime 4 contenders this marketing campaign.
And whereas they've the momentum, Napoli even have the added bonus of welcoming again Africa Cup of Nations champion Kalidou Koulibaly again into what's an already resolute defence.
With simply 16 targets conceded this season, this Napoli aspect have the perfect defensive report within the division and won't be trying to ship one other three targets to Inter this time spherical.
Whereas Napoli began the season quickest, choosing up eight wins from eight, issues have began to even out and if there's one purpose to be fearful for Spalletti and Co it is that three of their 4 residence defeats have come at residence.
Dropping 3-2 to Atalanta, in addition to 1-0 defeats to Empoli after which Spezia, for all of Napoli's stubbornness defensively, they've dropped the ball too typically at residence.
February is the month that can present us if this Napoli are pretenders or the true take care of video games towards Inter, Barcelona, Cagliari, Lazio and Milan all coming earlier than the month is out. However first, they have to take care of an Inter aspect reeling from a painful derby defeat.
'Napoli should do Napoli, which is constructed to win each sport,' Spalletti stated final week.
'It will be important to have numerous gamers to have all these matches so shut collectively however by now that is the normality and we should cease emphasising that we play loads as a result of it's now not an exception.
'It's important to exit on the pitch with the happiness of enjoying on a regular basis, attempting to win all of them.'
And so, all eyes can be on this potential title decider in Naples on Saturday night time. A win for Inter will see them pull 4 factors clear and have that sport in hand, giving them the most important benefit as they give the impression of being to retain their title.
However ought to Napoli get revenge for the 3-2 defeat inflicted again in November, then Spalletti and Co can nearly begin to dream as soon as once more.
