GdS: Predicted XIs for Napoli vs. Milan – Allegri’s choices almost obligatory

AC Milan begin the defence of their Supercoppa Italiana crown with a semi-final against Napoli on Thursday night.

The first bit of silverware of the season is up for grabs, but Milan have some injury issues to contend with, as do Napoli. Santiago Gimenez, Rafael Leao, Matteo Gabbia and Cheveyo Balentien are all out for this one, with the bench therefore loaded with Milan Futuro players who have made the trip.

Napoli vs. AC Milan: Predicted starting XIs

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport this morning, Milan will go with a three-man defence of Fikayo Tomori, Koni De Winter and Strahinja Pavlovic ahead of the goalkeeper and captain Mike Maignan, given the absence of Gabbia.

On the flanks it will be Alexis Saelemaekers and Davide Bartesaghi. The former is fresh off a renewal signed until 2031 during the week, while the latter netted his first two goals for the senior side in the recent draw with Sassuolo.

The midfield three should be Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Luka Modric and Adrien Rabiot, with Christopher Nkunku and Christian Pulisic the pairing up front, and no natural striker to bring off the bench.

Predicted Milan XI (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku, Pulisic.

Predicted Napoli XI (3-4-2-1): Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Politano, Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola; Neres, Elmas; Hojlund.