It is matchday 28 as the AC Milan side, coached by Stefano Pioli, are the visitors this time to face Napoli who are the second in the standings while Milan are third. Inter are first with 27 games played and 58 points collected. The Nerazzurri also have a game missing.
Pioli's team and Spalletti's men both have 57 points and tonight, the winner would be able to get first place alone, even if it's temporary.
Obviously, three points are what both clubs are aiming for at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium. The Rossoneri are not going through a very good period in terms of results right now because the last three games were draws against Salernitana and Udinese in the league and Inter in the Coppa Italia semi-final first leg.
Napoli, on the other hand, are coming fresh from a victory against Lazio after being a handed a heavy defeat 4-1 against Spanish heavyweights FC Barcelona in the Europa League. The first game between Milan and Napoli ended in a loss for the hosts at the San Siro. But now, the red and black will be motivated and eager to bring home 3 points.
Key players for AC Milan and what to expect:
Il Diavolo side, as we have told you, could take the field with Franck Kessié in the place of Real Madrid loanee Brahim Diaz. The Spaniard is not going through a good second half of the season. He needs to find his confidence again and that is why Pioli could decide to keep him on the bench, ready to be deployed during the match if or when needed.
Olivier Giroud will also have to find a top form as he will be having a very difficult game against the defenders of Napoli with Kalidou Koulibaly being the leader of that department. The Frenchman is still looking to score his first goal away from the San Siro.
The good news is that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's recovery has been going in the right direction lately and he could be available from the bench tonight. In case he is needed, he can play for a few minutes up front to help his teammates find a goal.
The defence, which kept clean sheet in the last game in the derby in the Coppa Italia competition, has to be very attentive and strong as Victor Osimhen is a very strong forward in the central area. But, the wingers of Napoli are also equally strong and talented.
Alessio Romagnoli will not be playing due to injury, but the duo of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu has the confidence and trust of coach Pioli.
For the hosts, coach Luciano Spalletti will probably use the following lineup:
4-2-3-1: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Fabián Ruiz, Lobotka; Politano, Zieliński, Insigne; Osimhen.
The Rossoneri side's boss, Stefano Pioli, will also be using the same formation module. These are his likely choices:
4-2-3-1: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kalulu, Hernandez; Bennacer, Tonali; Messias, Kessié, Leao; Giroud.
