Chivu lists Napoli among Inter's title rivals, but the compliment counts for little

Cristian Chivu has put Napoli on his list of Scudetto contenders. "There are many teams: Lazio, Roma, Como, Milan and Juventus, who will climb back up, and Napoli too. They are all still there and they will fight for an important league position," the Inter head coach said after his side beat Como.

From someone near the top, being "still there" sounds kind. But on Sunday 8 November Napoli drew with Lazio at the Maradona. Frattesi scored on 28 minutes, then Pedraza put through his own net on 48. Napoli are tenth on 15 points, 14 behind Lazio, and have gone three games without a win. Chivu placed Juventus ahead of Napoli in his list. They beat Napoli 2-0 on 1 November, and he expects them to climb too.

A courtesy, not a league table

None of this should be read as an endorsement. The coach of a title contender has no reason to say a rival is out of the race, and "the table is tight" applies to everyone. The numbers from Sunday are these: six shots on target and no Napoli goal against the league leaders. The Maradona whistled Lang and Lucca during the game and protested against the team at the end.

There is also an awkward question. If March is when you learn what you can fight for, what kind of Napoli will reach it? Allegri's stated target is fourth place. Napoli are tenth, with one point from three games. There is time to answer on the pitch, but the matches that have already contradicted the words are piling up.

The first chance comes on Saturday 21 November, when Torino visit the Maradona at 20:45 CET (19:45 UK, 14:45 ET). Three days later Napoli travel to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday 24 November at 21:00 CET. Chivu has put Napoli among the sides who will fight. Confirming or disproving his list will take results well before March.