Inter director Beppe Marotta insists Napoli are ‘an opponent to be respected’ in the Supercoppa Italiana and warns Juventus and Milan ‘cannot hide’ in the Scudetto race.
It kicks off at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh at 19.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The winner will be decided after 90 minutes or go straight to a penalty shoot-out.
“Winning this game would mean a great deal. It is our fourth final in 12 months and we are proud of that. Napoli are the Champions of Italy and therefore an opponent to be respected,” Marotta told Mediaset.
“Napoli did not suddenly become flops, many of these players won the Scudetto last season. Everyone knows in football that it is perhaps harder to confirm yourself than to win as underdogs, so a few problems were only natural.”
Playing the Supercoppa Final Four format in Saudi Arabia means that Inter’s Serie A Week 21 fixture against Atalanta is rescheduled to February 28.
That has allowed Juventus to leapfrog them to the top of the table after playing an extra game, a potentially important psychological advantage going into the Derby d’Italia on February 4.
“Clearly, it is a head-to-head with Juventus. They have the advantage of being able to plan a full week for every single match. That also allows them to reduce the risk of injuries and that is not to be underestimated,” added Marotta.
“I know Juve are trying to hide their light under a bushel and say they are not the favourites, but that is reductive. We must remember that when it comes to Inter, Juventus and indeed Milan, the aim is always to win silverware.
“I therefore believe they are favourites just as much as we are and it will be an open race all the way to the end.”
Juventus were excluded from European competition for financial irregularities and can focus all their attention on Serie A and the Coppa Italia, where they have qualified for the semi-finals.
Inter, Marotta: "Quarta finale in 12 mesi. Juve? Favorita come noi, riduttivo sottovalutarsi" https://t.co/dP02N5FhUf
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