Antonio Conte took aim at his critics and defended two-goal Romelu Lukaku after Inter Milan beat Napoli 3-1 to move to the top of Seri A.
Lukaku struck twice before Arkadiusz Milik halved the deficit, but Lautaro Martinez’s second-half effort sealed the win – yet that did not stop pundit Fabio Capello labelling Inter a counter-attacking side.
Conte took exception to the analysis and also hit back at critics of Lukaku who already has 14 goals in 18 games for his new club.
Inter director Beppe Marotta confirmed they are seeking “a midfielder and winger” in January, dropped Arturo Vidal hints, but denied “any contact” for Tottenham’s Christian Eriksen.
The Serie A match with Napoli kicks off at 19.45 GMT, click here for the line-ups and LIVEBLOG.
The Nerazzurri chief was asked before the game against Napoli about Inter’s interest in Barcelona and Chile midfielder Vidal.
“We are having various contacts with agents and clubs to increase the quality level of a squad that is already doing extraordinary things,” Marotta told Sky Sport Italia.
Manchester United have reportedly told Inter Milan that they are willing to sell them Paul Pogba, but only if they get Lautaro Martinez in return.
It appears that Pogba is keen to reunite with Antonio Conte, since the two worked so well together at Juventus.
The speculation over the World Cup winner’s future at Old Trafford has not died down during his absence from the pitch and the newspaper claims Inter have the makeweight to be in pole position for the former Bianconeri’s signature.
Martinez is valued at around €80million, while United insist Pogba is worth €150m.
Flamengo’s offer of €16m plus 20 per cent of a future sale for striker Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa is not enough for Inter, and that has allows long term suitors West Ham United back into the fray.
According to multiple Italian sources, including Sky Sport Italia and La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Premier League side are ready to offer €20m plus performance-related bonuses and add-ons for Gabigol.
The 23-year-old is currently on loan at Flamengo and the Brazilian side have claimed a deal was in place to sign him permanently. But Inter insist that is not the case and want to sell ‘Gabigol’ to the highest bidder.
Different manager but same result. Twelve months ago, Inter under Luciano Spalletti were knocked out the Champions League after failing to beat PSV in their final group match at the Giuseppe Meazza Stadium.
Fast forward twelve months. Two record signings, and a new manager in Antonio Conte, and Inter were in the same situation as a year ago. Win on matchday six and qualify for the Champions League knockout stages.
And once again, Inter failed, losing 2-1 at home to Barcelona reserves, a result that will see Inter play in the Europa League in the new year.
Barcelona technical director Eric Abidal has admitted the Spanish giants are keeping a close eye on Inter Milan star Lautaro Martinez.
The 22-year-old is catching the eye in Italy after a series of stunning performances for Antonio Conte’s side, and swiftly becoming a wanted man among Europe’s elite sides.
Barcelona, who are known to be looking for a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, are among those sides interested.
‘Yes, he is a complete player, I think he is performing at a great level,’ admitted Abidal recently to Mundo Deportivo.
AC Milan have confirmed the appointment of former Inter Milan boss Stefano Pioli as their new manager. The 53-year-old has signed a two-year deal with the Serie A side to replace the sacked Marco Giampaolo.
Giampaolo paid the price for Milan’s dreadful start to the season and was dismissed earlier this week after just seven games in charge. It is the shortest reign in the club’s history.
Giampaolo was axed after former president Silvio Berlusconi told Paolo Maldini and Zvonimir Boban they’d made a mistake in hiring the coach.
Romelu Lukaku’s second half header stretched Inter Milan’s perfect start to the Serie A season to four games as they took the derby spoils against AC Milan.
Lukaku headed home a cross from Nicolo Barella in the 78th minute to add to Marcelo Brozovic’s deflected opener.
Lautaro Martinez also had an effort ruled out after a VAR review as Antonio Conte’s side proved good value for a win which takes them back to the top of the table.
Despite their strong domestic start, Inter went into the game under a degree of pressure after needing a late Barella strike to salvage a Champions League draw at home to Slavia Prague in midweek.
Serie A has once again show how little they care about its players being racially abused after the league decided not to punish Cagliari, after fans directed monkey chants at Inter Milan star Romelu Lukaku.
In the Serie A fixture on September 1, Lukaku stepped up to score the penalty that would ensure his side a 2-1 victory and was subjected to vile abuse.
After scoring he stood still and stared at those who had make the noises but the Sardinian club have not been sanctioned.
Alexis Sanchez is expected to undergo an Inter Milan medical as early as Tuesday after agreeing a loan with €15m option to buy from Manchester United.
According to Sky Sport Italia transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the Chile international would move to Inter on a free loan deal with option to buy at the end of the season for €15m.
Manchester United would also contribute to pay approximately half of his salary during the loan deal, which is reported to be £300,000 a week.
If all goes well. Alexis could be in Italy tomorrow evening, preparing to undergo a medical and sign the contract on Tuesday.