Italian champions-elect Napoli host current champions Milan at the Stadio Maradona on Sunday – the first of three encounters over the next three weeks.
SSC Napoli
Napoli are five wins away from clinching their first Scudetto in 33 years, and the Partenopei would like to mathematically win the title as soon as possible. Assuming Juventus’ point reduction is not overturned by the courts, victories over Milan and Lecce would reduce the magic number to three with nine rounds left to play.
That would allow gli Azzurri to focus on the Champions League, as favourites to reach the final, after an extremely favourable draw. However, Milan will not be an easy opponent. Stefano Pioli’s men will be eager to avenge their loss to Napoli on Matchday 7, while Napoli will be without their star striker Victor Osimhen.
AC Milan
Milan have struggled mightily in the Girone di ritorno, dropping 14 of a possible 24 points. Between the 8th of January and the 5th of February, the Rossoneri went winless in seven matches in all competitions.
Stefano Pioli seemed to have stopped the bleeding after switching to a three-man back line. Milan won four straight matches in February, recording a clean sheets in all four. However, Milan failed to win a single match in the month of March, with losses to Fiorentina and Udinese and draws to Tottenham and Salernitana.
Nevertheless, the Rossoneri have clung onto the fourth and final Champions League position. With Atalanta’s victory over Cremonese on Saturday, Milan are tied with La Dea on 48 points. Should the visitors come out on top on Sunday, Milan would move up to third in the table after city rivals Inter lost 0-1 to Fiorentina.
Injuries/Suspensions
On Friday, tests on Victor Osimhen’s left adductor reveled a muscular lesion, which will keep the striker out of the squad for 2-3 weeks. Bartosz Bereszyński continues to recovered from a muscular injury suffered during the international break while training with the Poland national team.
However, Giacomo Raspadori has recovered from a hamstring injury that caused him to miss seven matches in all competitions. Meanwhile, Diego Demme has recovered from the muscle fatigue that caused him to miss the Torino match.
For Milan, Pierre Kalulu has been ruled out with a calf injury he suffered while playing for France’s U21 squad. Meanwhile, Junior Messias continues to recover from a hamstring injury suffered in the return leg of Milan’s Champions League tie against Tottenham. Finally, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to miss the match on Sunday after sustaining yet another injury (muscle) in training.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Luciano Spalletti:
“There are other teams that have put us in serious difficulty like Milan did. Last year we were both in the lead at this point in the season. We know they’re a strong team, with a squad that’s capable of playing short and suddenly going long, even with the keeper. They’re a team that can defend itself and restart with lightning-quick pace with two or three players alone. Milan have a physical press that forces you to play faster and with less time. We know the strength of Giroud and the rest of the team.”
Stefano Pioli:
“If we play like Milan are capable of playing, we can win; if we don’t, we risk losing. I have a lot of faith in my players. We have all the characteristics to put them in difficulty. There will be challenges because we play against a team that are at a level that is worthy of all the compliments they are getting, but I believe in my team…Osimhen is a very strong player, but Napoli won seven consecutive matches without him, including a win against us.”
Previous Meetings
| September 18, 2022 | Home | 1-2 | Away |
| March 6, 2022 | Home | 0-1 | Away |
| December 19, 2021 | Home | 0-1 | Away |
| March 14, 2021 | Home | 0-1 | Away |
| November 22, 2020 | Home | 1-3 | Away |
Match Officials
Head Official: Antonio Rapuano
Assistants: Alessandro Giallatini and Giuseppe Perrotti
Fourth Official: Daniele Doveri
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo and Federico La Penna
