On Sunday, Milan will play host to 10th place Napoli at the San Siro. Both clubs are coming off two different types of results as the Rossoneri suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Genoa last weekend at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, while Maurizio Sarri’s Napoli came out victorious against Champions League runner-ups Juventus with a 2-1 result.
The Partenopei also carried their winning ways into the Europa League as they defeated Legia Warsaw 2-0. But despite the difference in form, each of these clubs will surely give it their all in order to come away with three points in this weekend’s Serie A Match of the Week
Milan- WLWWL
While many expected Milan to handle Genoa last Saturday, there was always that slight bit of doubt that they were due for a setback match. Sure enough, it was the rossoblu who delivered it thanks to a goal by ex-Napoli man Blerim Dzemaili. Prior to this match, Milan defeated both Palermo and Udinese 3-2 in rather unconvincing fashion. Against the rosanero, it was a back and forth battle but it seemed as if Milan were afraid to conceed rather than just finishing off their opponent. The following week against Udinese, Mario Balotelli (who is inactive against Napoli due to injury) opened the scoring with a perfectly taken free-kick before Giacomo Bonaventura and Cristian Zapata grabbed a goal of their own before the first half ended. Throughout the entire second half however, they looked awfully suspect and it could partially be blamed on the questionable substitution made by Mihajlović in which he subbed off Davide Calabria for Alex. Udinese managed to grab two goals but luckily for Milan, there wasnt enough time for them to spoil the result for the red and black.
This week will test Milan and how they respond after a poor showing. As mentioned before, Milan will be without Balotelli as an option from the bench, along with their best defender in Alessio Romagnoli who picked up a red card last weekend against Genoa. However, Mihajlović does get his best striker back in Carlos Bacca to pair alongside Luiz Adriano which is surely key to getting a result against an offensive juggernaut in Napoli. But in order for Milan to get their desired result this weekend, Andrea Bertolacci will need to come out and prove in a big match that he is worth the money Milan dished out to Roma for him. Additionally, Cristian Zapata will be asked to anchor the defensive unit and assist Rodrigo Ely in containing the explosive attack of Napoli led by Gonzalo Higuain, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-1-2): Diego Lopez; De Sciglio, Zapata, Ely, Antonelli; Kucka, Montolivo, Bertolacci; Bonaventura; Bacca, Luiz Adriano
Napoli- DDWDW
After a rocky start to the Maurizio Sarri era at Napoli, the partenopei have begun to find their form in all competitions. Despite drawing to clubs like Sampdoria, Empoli and Carpi early on, they’ve found their form at the perfect time. After a huge 5-0 onslaught of Club Brugge in the Europa League followed by another 5-goal win against Lazio, Sarri appears to have settled in, especially after the impressive 2-1 defeat of Juventus last week.
Confidence is high with the Neopolitans. The main men behind the recent run are Gonzalo Higuain and Lorenzo Insigne who have been dangerous, applying relentless pressure with a blend of pace, skill and clinical finishing when around the net. The Argentine once again looks to battle for the capocannoniere, sitting on 5 goals in Serie A. The young Insigne has scored 3 goals of his own and it appears that perhaps 2015-16 will be a season to remember for the Italian. Of course, when you mention Napoli you immediately look towards their attack, but this season looks different. Manolo Gabbiadini and newcomer Allan have also provided a spark in the shadows of the usual stars Higuain and Marek Hamsik. Gabbiadini brings a little bit of everything to the table as an attacker who can play in a variety of positions. As for Allan, the Brazilian has proven to be a bargain coming over from Udinese. With 2 two goals and two assists to his credit, he will be one of the key men to watch against Milan as he has proven this season that he can sit back to defend or be a more creative player in the midfield.
Probable Starting Line-up (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamsik; Callejon, Higuain, Insigne
Prediction: The return of Carlos Bacca for Milan will be key in getting the coveted three points against Napoli. But the absence of Romagnoli who has been their best defender could spell danger for the defense as Ely will now be asked to step in to fill the void. Expect Napoli to attack the former Avellino man early and often, testing his composure in a key match. If Milan are to have a chance at a win, they will need to bring their Inter performance to the pitch and show that the peformance against Genoa last week did not shake their confidence. Despite Milan showing the world that they seem to perform better in more meaningful matches, the attacking threat Napoli provides, both starting and off the bench, will be too much for the rossoneri to handle. A narrow victory in favor of Sarri and his surging Napoli side.
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