AC Milan secured a vital away goal on Thursday night in the Europa League last 16 first leg versus Manchester United at Old Trafford. Now, Stefano Pioli’s team turn their attention back to Serie A and hopes of re-igniting a title challenge.
Napoli are sixth in the Serie A standings and just three points off of the top four. Gennaro Gattuso’s team have plenty of incentive to go to San Siro and score goals.
AC Milan picked up 10 points from their last 18 games. They dipped slightly but are now unbeaten in three straight games in the league. Napoli also picked up 10 points from the last 18 available. Like Milan, Napoli are on a two-game unbeaten run in the league and will fancy their chances of a win.
Pioli is without key attacking players for the game. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Hakan Calhanoglu, and Ante Rebic are all set to miss the game through injuries. The trio could return for next Thursday’s Europa League last 16 second leg, however.
Daniel Maldini and Mario Mandzukic are both doubts for the game, while Ismael Bennacer is also likely to miss the fixture. Still, Pioli has a strong defensive side that has conceded 30 times and scored 50 goals.
Napoli have just two players on the injury list. Coach Gennaro Gattuso is likely to be without Faouzi Ghoulam and Andrea Petagna due to their injury issues. The duo isn’t likely to return until next weekend at the earliest.
The big news surrounding Napoli this week is the possible return of former coach Maurizio Sarri. Since leaving Napoli, Sarri coached Chelsea and most recently Juventus. He is expected to return next season after Gattuso is dismissed in the summer.
AC Milan won the reverse fixture against Napoli 3-1 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona earlier this season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored on either side of halftime. Dries Mertens pulled a goal back for the Partenopei, but Tiemoue Bakayoko’s second half sending off stopped the comeback.
Jens Peter Hauge scored a third goals for AC Milan to seal the victory away from home. Napoli have drawn and won twice on their last five visits to San Siro to play AC Milan in the league. Can they get a result once more?
Despite their good form, AC Milan are a better side and should pull off the double this weekend versus Napoli in a fiery fixture. The win could get Milan back into the title race. Like the reverse fixture, expect to see both sides score goals and over 2.5 goals.
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