Buongiorno defensive rock for Napoli after transfer battle with Inter ...

Alessandro Buongiorno will be the defensive rock for Napoli against Inter Milan – but it could’ve looked different after a summer transfer battle.

This is highlighted in today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper Corriere dello Sport, via FCInterNews.

Napoli made plenty of big name signings during the summer transfer window.

The Partenopei reunited striker Romelu Lukaku with former Inter coach Antonio Conte.

Meanwhile, Scottish international duo Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour arrived from Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion respectively to bolster Napoli’s midfield.

And so far, these signings have all worked out more or less as intended.

But arguably no summer signing has had quite the impact that Buongiorno’s has.

Over the first few months of the season, Italian international Buongiorno has given a demonstration of exactly why Napoli signed him from Torino.

The 25-year-old has had a huge role in the Partenopei having the best defensive record in Serie A. This has been the bedrock of their charge to the top of the table.

And even against Atalanta last weekend as Napoli shipped three goals, Buongiorno had an excellent individual performance – the match itself was simply two one-sided.

Buongiorno will have a similarly thankless task this evening, undoubtedly.

Inter strikers Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram are not going to be easy for the Napoli defender to mark.

And the Nerazzurri are nothing short of a machine in terms of creating chances and dangerous situations.

However, if any defender in Serie A is up for handling this danger, Buongiorno is.

It could’ve been a lot different though. Buongiorno had been a long-term target for Inter.

It is not hard to see why that is the case. The Nerazzurri have been building around young Italian talent for years.

And Inter certainly have a place in their squad for a physical, man-marking defender like Buongiorno.

The 25-year-old has experience on both the left and in the centre of a back three with Torino.

Napoli were the team to move decisively to sign Buongiorno. But Inter even tried to hijack that move at the last minute.

However, by that time the Italian international had made his decision. He completed the move to Napoli.

And this evening, Buongiorno could punish Inter.