1 hour ago
22
Tonight’s game has the makings of a classic. AC Milan vs. Napoli, and with it, perhaps the revitalisation of one of Italy’s sleeping giants.
Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) start their preview of the game very simply. The game tonight is reminiscent of that from ‘another era’. Both teams look solid; Napoli, four games, four wins and the glow of the Scudetto still present.
Milan, on the other hand, full of enthusiasm to bounce back after a sub-par season, with a facelift from the mercato. Their opening day letdown has been largely forgotten thanks to the results of recent weeks.
Then, the game also has several sub-stories. The battle of the ‘maestri’, Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne, then the battle of the infinite coaches, Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte.
Looking in the mirror
It is very much like a case of looking in the mirror, or even at the past. Conte’s Napoli will face a version like itself of last season. A disappointing season into a summer bearing several fruits. A team looking to clear themselves of last year’s mistakes.
Should they win tonight, it would be a clear attack on the crown, which currently sits in Naples. Tonight, Allegri’s desire for a Scudetto could be shown, and the Rossoneri will hope to see that in action. Conte is aware of the threat but also confident of his team, with a ‘parade of stars’ present on both sides of the pitch.
The struggles
In an ideal world, the Partenopei want to avoid any ‘unseen rivals’. After last week’s Champions League loss, they struggled against Pisa on Monday. Next week, they face another test in Europe’s top competition.
Of course, the focus is tonight, but there could be some focus on the game coming up as well. Conte must manage his team almost perfectly, something that Allegri must also contend with after the Coppa Italia.
It should not be a case of a defensive game, where both teams are too afraid to lose to start attacks. However, there will certainly be caution. Should the Neapolitan outfit win tonight, they would create a six-point gap. One that Allegri can not afford to open if he wants another Scudetto medal.
Alessandro Buongiorno and Amir Rrahmani will be missed again today. However, Napoli’s struggles extend past the duo. Leonardo Spinazzola and Mathias Olivera are also missing, so Miguel Gutierrez will start on the left.
His attacking mindset could present opportunities for the Diavolo, and Alexis Saelemaekers could be asked to make the opposition pay.
Midfield the key
The game, though, should be decided in the middle. Santiago Gimenez has his goal, finally, but he will face a test from his direct opposite, Rasmus Hojlund, who has started well in Italy.
Then, in the midfield, there are several battles, but the most important will be De Bruyne and Modric’s face-off. Caution must also be present regarding Scott McTominay, but even then, he will not be given the luxury of a one-way game, thanks to Adrien Rabiot’s arrival.
An organised chaos could be seen tonight; whoever can be more organised in that chaos could be the winner. A spectacle is possible in every sense, in every area. It has the makings of a classic.
English (US) ·