AC Milan vs Napoli – Preview: Rossoneri look to address poor run of form against Partenopei

Date: 13th December 2014 at 8:21pm
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Duvan Zapata Napoli 2 Empoli 2In what is undoubtedly the match of the round in this weekend’s Serie A action, Napoli travel to the San Siro to face AC Milan on Sunday evening in a fixture that could have major repercussions in the race for third, and the all-important final Champions League spot.

Both teams are coming into the match in a relatively poor run of form, with the Rossoneri only tasting victory once in their last seven Serie A matches, whilst Napoli are winless in three. Despite this form, both sides are still well in the mix for a Champions League spot, with Napoli sitting fifth with 24 points from 14 games, two points behind third-placed Genoa, and Milan seventh with 21 points, five points off the pace.

The two encounters between the two sides last season both ended in Napoli victories, with Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain managing to plunder three goals all up in both ties. The Argentinian international is expected to start this weekend, after coming on as a substitute on the weekend in the disappointing 2-2 home draw with Empoli, and will be tasked with the goal-scoring burden.

That is not good news for Milan, whose defence has been decimated by injury in recent weeks, and the last thing they’d want to face is a world-class frontman like Higuain. Three out of the four first-choice backline picks are ruled out by injury in Ignazio Abate, Alex and Mattia De Sciglio, and Inzaghi will have no choice but to persist with the much-criticized defensive duo of Philippe Mexes and Daniele Bonera.

What is good news however for the Rossoneri was the return of Captain Riccardo Montolivo, who started in the 1-0 loss against Genoa on the weekend, and played just over an hour of the match, coming out unscathed. He is expected to start again this weekend in the crunch fixture against Napoli, and continue his progression to full fitness. Fernando Torres may also be in line for a return to the starting line-up after his side’s lackluster showing up front against the Grifone on the weekend.

Napoli may opt to rotate their squad given their meaningful Europa League clash with Slovan Bratislava three days prior. Christian Maggio will definitely be out due to suspension (four yellow cards accumulated), which may mean that Henrique shifts from center back to right back, and impressive Kalidou Koulibaly comes straight back into the side after missing the match against Empoli due to serving a suspension of his own.

A win for the Rossoneri would put them level on points with Napoli and alleviate some of the recent pressure on boss Filippo Inzaghi, whilst a lost would deal a crucial blow to their Champions League aspirations for next season.

Expected Starting XIs

AC Milan: Diego Lopez; Bonera, Mexes, Rami, Armero; De Jong, Montolivo, Bonaventura; Honda, Menez, El Shaarawy

Napoli: Rafael; Henrique, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Jorginho, Lopez; Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain.

 

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