Milan-Napoli is a match valid for the twenty-fourth day of Serie A and is played on Sunday at 8:45 p.m.: odds, predictions, live TV, streaming.
A Champions League semifinal is not up for grabs as it was last year, but the one between AC Milan and Napoli can never be a trivial challenge, despite the fact that the Rossoneri and Azzurri are currently fighting for different goals. Stefano Pioli’s team dreams of reinserting itself in the fight for the Scudetto: after the last day, Juventus, defeated at San Siro, is closer (+4) but Inter continues to run away. The cousins have eight points more than the Diavolo and also one game less: it will be really hard to catch them up again.
The partenopei, on the other hand, must “save” their season by qualifying at least for the next Champions League: failing to do so would be a gigantic failure for the reigning Italian champions. The victory with Verona last Sunday – the third useful result after the success in the derby with Salernitana (2-1) and the scoreless draw against Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico – allowed Walter Mazzarri’s team to climb two positions in the standings and remain at -4 from fourth place, occupied by the skittish Atalanta. It was no cakewalk, however, to impose themselves on the Scaligeri, who were overturned in the last 10 minutes thanks to an own goal and a beautiful goal by Kvaratskhelia. Milan also won by a comeback: down 2-1 against Frosinone with half an hour to go before the final whistle, it was once again the substitutions that made the difference, with Jovic confirming his inspiration from the bench (2-3).
In Ciociaria, the Rossoneri got their eighth positive result in the league and their last defeat was last December against Atalanta. Milan is not super solid at the back – it has always conceded at least one goal in the last four days – but the attack is not leaving anything to be desired: against Empoli, Roma, Udinese, Bologna and Frosinone Hernandez and his teammates have never scored less than two goals.
Milan-Napoli: the latest news on formations
Pioli must do without Chukwueze, engaged in the African Cup of Nations with Nigeria, as well as the injured Kalulu, Tomori, Pobega, Mirante and Thiaw: only the latter seems close to returning. Reijnders, disqualified, will not be there either: with Adli, in the midfield, there will be room for Bennacer. In the center of the defense, Kjaer and Gabbia are back.
Mazzarri is expected to field the three-man defense, consisting of Ostigard, Rrahmani and Juan Jesus. Mario Rui is out on the left, disqualified: his place will be taken by Mazzocchi. On the bench are Meret, Olivera and Zielinski, who appear to have cleared their respective injuries. Up front, with Osimhen intent on playing the African Cup of Nations final with his Nigeria, the Tuscan coach will rely on Politano, Simeone and Kvaratskhelia. Ngonge and Lindstrom will be pawing the bench.
The Prediction
Total balance in the last 10 league confrontations: 3 wins on each side and four draws. Excluding last year’s European double-header, since the 2020-21 season we have witnessed only away wins, a streak that was broken in October when the first leg ended 2-2. Milan is favored this time but remains an unpredictable team, which will have to be good at unhinging the defense of a very alert Napoli in the non-possession phase. Not an easy match to read: likely, however, to score for both.
The probable formations of Milan-Napoli
MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Gabbia, Hernandez; Bennacer, Adli; Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud.
NAPOLI (3-4-3): Gollini; Ostigard, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, Mazzocchi; Politano, Simeone, Kvaratskhelia.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
