Wednesday 12 April at 21:00 will see Milan v Napoli, the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final. A preview of this crucial match for both Pioli’s and Spalletti’s side took place last 2 April at the Stadio Maradona. Well, on that occasion the Rossoneri dominated for much of the match, winning with merit (0-4). An unrecognisable Napoli, the absence of Victor Osimhen, however important, cannot justify such a poor performance.
It was a victory that gave Milan morale, only to come back down to earth after the disappointing draw with Empoli (0-0), perhaps also the result of the turnover done by Pioli, who wanted to preserve some important players with a view to the Champions League quarter-finals between Milan and Napoli, such as Leao, Giroud and Brahim Dìaz.
Napoli, on the other hand, returned to winning ways on the pitch at Lecce. For the match in Salento, Luciano Spalletti did not make any calculations by deploying the best possible formation, forcing the change in attack with Raspadori replacing Osimhen while Elmas in place of Zielinski was a technical choice.
Napoli beat Lecce (1-2) but had great difficulty in bringing the result home. In short, Napoli did not play well and did not deserve to win the game. Two worrying alarm bells in view of Milan – Napoli?
Not necessarily. Spelletti’s team in the last two league games has been lacklustre, fatigued, unrecognisable even. To this, however, there could be an explanation. It is probable that the team in these last two weeks has been doing high-level work aimed at the final sprint and playing in the best possible physical condition for the Champions League.
AC Milan v Napoli Champions League quarter-final line-up: disqualified and injured, Osimhen will not be called up
Pioli will have to do without Kalulu for the Champions League semi-final first leg, but he could be available for the next league game. Ibrahimovic is also out. These two Rossoneri, therefore, will not be part of the Milan – Napoli line-up.
Luciano Spalletti is worse off. Victor Osimhen will not be called up for Wednesday’s match, Sky Sport reports. The Nigerian underwent tests this morning, the results of which were unfavourable.
Osimhen is not the only problem for Spalletti. Simeone was injured on Friday and Raspadori is not 100% either, so much so that he trained individually yesterday. If the former Sassuolo player does not make it, Lozano will probably play in the centre of the attack. These are the probable line-ups of AC Milan – Napoli:
- MILAN 4-2-3-1
- Maignan
- Calabria
- Kjaer
- Tomori
- Hernandez
- Bennacer
- Tonali
- B. Diaz
- Krunic
- Leao
- Giroud
- NAPOLI 4-3-3
- Meret
- Di Lorenzo
- Rrhmani
- Kim
- Mario Rui
- Anguissa
- Lobotka
- Zielinski
- Politano
- Lozano
- Kvaratskhelia