Serie A PREVIEW | Napoli v Milan

League leaders Napoli will aim to stretch their gigantic lead at the top of the table to 22 points when they lock horns with an out of form Milan today at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. 

Since suffering their second defeat of the season to Lazio in the first week of March, Napoli have initiated another winning run when they scored nine goals in the last three games. The Partenopei are set to face Milan three times this month following their draw in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, and Luciano Spalletti will aim to impose his team’s superiority today so as to not deter his players’ mentality in the upcoming European clashes. 

Striker Victor Osimhen and breakout star Kvicha Kvaratskhelia continued their tremendous form in attack with a brace and a penalty goal respectively in their last match. Napoli enjoyed yet another comfortable victory against Torino as they riled in four goals to their opposition without having to exercise much in defence. 

Meanwhile, today’s visitors, Milan will aim to get back to winning ways after failing to secure a single win in the month of March. 

While striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic consecrated himself as the oldest goalscorer of all-time in the Serie A in his side’s last league outing against Udinese, the Rossoneri couldn’t make the day enjoyable for the Swedish legend as they went down 3-1. Goals from Roberto Pereyra, Beto and Kingsley Ehizibue were the scorers for the Udine-based side and Ibrahimovic’s penalty goal couldn’t help muster a comeback for Milan. 

Due to their recent form, Stefano Pioli’s men came a bit offroad in the race for a top-four spot. Today’s clash is massive for both sides as the final stretch of the season begins to determine their fate.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Napoli:

W W W L W

Milan:

L D D L W

Team News

Napoli’s top goalscorer this season, Victor Osimhen is set to be sidelined for this match after sustaining an adductor injury away on international duty. 

Giovanni Simeone will replace the Nigerian and will have the usual names of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Matteo Politano on the flanks. Hirving Lozano will compete for the right-flank spot. 

As for Milan, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for another spell on the sidelines after suffering a thigh injury. Olivier Giroud is the man to replace the 41-year-old. 

Pierre Kalulu is out for the match with an injury and captain Davide Calabria may be called in for a right-back role. 

Predicted XIs

Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Simeone, Kvaratskhelia

Milan (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Tonali; Diaz, Krunic, Leao; Giroud

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN