Napoli travel to Milan for their first big match of the season, will first place in Serie A on the line.
AC Milan
After winning their first scudetto in over a decade, Milan were sold by Elliott Advisors UK Inc. to Redbird Capital Partners. The prolonged negotiations delayed the renewals of Paolo Maldini and Daniele Massaro, which in turn delayed Milan’s summer transfer market. As a result, the Bianconeri missed out on two players they were heavily linked to in the summer.
Sven Botman moved to Newcastle United in the English Premier League. Milan have instead relied on Pierre Kalulu and Fikayo Tomori, who were exceptional during the home stretch of Milan’s scudetto-winning run. Simon Kjaer also returned after recovering from a torn ACL, which caused him to miss most of last season.
Meanwhile, Renato Sanchez signed with PSG. The Portuguese midfielder was touted to replace Frank Kessie after the latter moved to Barcelona. Instead, Milan have relied on Tommaso Pobega and Yacine Adli, who returned from loans at Torino and Bordeaux, respectively.
However, Milan still made three important acquisitions. Charles De Ketelaere was purchased from Club Brugge and Divock Origi was signed on a free transfer to bolster an aging Milan attack, led by Olivier Giroud and oft-injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Milan also sign Serginho Dest on loan from Barcelona late in the transfer window.
Aside from De Ketelaere, Stafano Pioli has been slowly working the new signings into the squad. That consistency in the squad has allowed Milan to start the 2022/23 campaign as strong as they ended the 2021/22 campaign, with a record of four wins, two draws and no losses, including an important derby win over city rivals Inter.
SSC Napoli
After consecutive draws to Fiorentina and Lecce, Napoli have won four consecutive matches in all competitions: a come-from-behind victory over Lazio; a thrashing of last season’s Champions League runners up; a late win over Spezia; and a win over Rangers in a hostile stadium with no away fans.
With a busy schedule, Luciano Spalletti has rotated his squad fairly heavily from match to match and relied on the depth of his rebuilt squad, with Giovanni Simeone, Giacomo Raspadori and Tanguy Ndombele all making important contributions of late.
Injuries/Suspensions
Milan will be missing a number of players for this match, particularly in the attack. Divock Origi has flown back to Belgium to meet with the Belgian national team doctors after missing the Sampdoria match due to a thigh injury. The muscle injury is believed to be rooted in a tendon issue. Origi is being treated for tendon inflammation, the same injury that forced teammate Alessandro Florenzi to have surgery. He too will not be available for this match.
Meanwhile, Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to recover from knee surgery, which was kept him out since the start of the season. Finally, the Rossoneri will be missing both of their left wingers. Rafael Leao is suspended after being cautioned twice in Milan’s 1-2 victory over Sampdoria. His backup, Ante Rebic, is also sidelined with a herniated disc in his back.
Napoli will be without three players for this match. Diego Demme continues to suffer from a foot injury he suffered in training. Victor Osimhen is expected to be our for three weeks with a second degree thigh strain suffered in Napoli’s Champions League fixture against Liverpool. Meanwhile, Hirving Lozano returned to full training after recovering from the flu and has been included in the match-day squad.
Finally, Napoli will be without coach Luciano Spalletti, who is suspended after being cautioned twice in the win over Spezia.
Probable Formations
Manager’s Comments
Stefano Pioli:
“Napoli have Spalletti. They always make their teams play well, with a clear and precise identity. The transfer market has allowed them to buy players who are not so well known but are suitable…Spalletti has his preparation and his strategy. Then tomorrow I will say where we have been suprior or inferior to them. We are two similar teams, who maneuver, go in depth and try not to be passive in the defensive phase.”
Luciano Spalletti:
“Milan and Napoli are two squads that are doing well and have healthy intentions. Those who have an advantage become difficult, those who are able to take that advance on the bets during the 90 minutes have an advantage. We are two teams who leave room for the desire to win. Whoever can manage the ball better can have a small advantage.”
Previous Meetings
| March 6, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 0-1 | AC Milan |
| December 19, 2021 | AC Milan | 0-1 | SSC Napoli |
| March 14, 2021 | AC Milan | 0-1 | SSC Napoli |
| November 22, 2022 | SSC Napoli | 1-3 | AC Milan |
| July 12, 2020 | SSC Napoli | 2-2 | AC Milan |
Match Officials
Head Official: Maurizio Mariani
Assistants: Fabiano Petri and Alessio Berti
Fourth Official: Federico Dionisi
VAR: Massimiliano Irrati and Alessandro Giallatini
