6 hours ago
22
This weekend, AC Milan play Napoli in what could be a defining game in the Serie A season. However, Italy will be watching for another reason, as well.
There are certain things in football that make it much more than a sport. Of course, supporting/loving your club adds an extra level, as does the level of quality. However, everyone loves a rivalry, especially one that features the two aforementioned factors.
Milan-Napoli: The return of Conte and ‘Anti-Conte’
Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte are two of the most successful Italian managers in history, but especially in recent times. The pair have dominated when it comes to Serie A, and they are probably the most well-known offerings from the nation’s coaching system.
They have faced each other several times before, but there has been a gap in recent years. Even then, a gap feels slightly generous. In the past, Conte has gotten the better of his compatriot five times, drawing twice and losing only once.
As Quotidiano Sportivo write, it has been almost 4,400 days since the two coaches faced each other, and a lot of time has passed since October 6, 2013. Though only once before, as the paper writes, has a match-up this successful occurred.
In the 1999/2000 season, Giovanni Trapattoni and Fabio Capello faced each other, 11 Scudetti between them. Now, 25 years on, that record will be matched again on the benches. A historic rivalry between Conte and the ‘Anti-Conte’.
English (US) ·