Napoli vs AC Milan
Italy – Serie A
Date: Sunday, 12 July 2020
Kick-Off at 20:45 UK/ 21:45 CET
Venue: Stadio San Paolo (Naples).
Match preview
Napoli have confirmed that the 2019-20 season that seems to only go one way pre-Christmas, will go down in their history after winning the Coppa Italia last month.
The Azzurri had to push on from that victory, which assured them of a place in the Europa League next season, taking 12 points from the last 15 on offer in the league.
Losing 2-0 to Atalanta BC last week all but killed their top four prospects, but they have seen from Hellas Verona, SPAL, Rome and Genoa both sides of setbacks.
With a 15-point gap to make the above four, and only seven games left, the man Gennaro Gattuso is now fighting with Roma - with whom they are level on points - for fifth place.
Milan have not been able to finish fifth, though, because they are now just two points behind Napoli and Roma thanks to the impressive run of league form since returning to action in June.
Stefano Pioli, who reportedly will be replaced by Ralf Rangnick in the coming weeks, has guided his team four wins and a draw in their last five games.
a run that includes a 4-2 win over leaders remarkable Juventus, the Rossoneri recovered from two goals early in the second half to claim the three points.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic on target for the fifth time since returning to the club in January, the arrival of Swedish striker Milan coincided with an upturn in form.
Milan are not sure Europa League place first, though, as Sassuolo and Hellas Verona six points behind ahead of the final run-in.
Widen the gap that will be difficult this weekend given that Milan have lost their last three
games at the Stadio San Paolo, while overall they are without a win in this match since 2014.
Team News
Napoli
Demme and Koulibaly the back of their ban and both will begin to Partenopei.
AC Milan
Calhanoglu suitable fully and will start for the Rossoneri after a solid cameo in midweek.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides met earlier in the season at the San Siro when the period of Stefano Pioli is in its infancy, drawing 1-1 as Giacomo Bonaventura strike canceled out an opener 24 minutes Hirving this Lozano.
The last time Milan play at the San Paolo was a night to forget despite having gone 2-0 in 50 minutes. A goal from Piotr Zielinski and a 80-minute strike from Dries Mertens completed the dramatic change in Round 2.
Milan's record in this competition since 2008 has not been good: they have only won five of the last 25 league meetings between the teams and have not won away against Napoli since October 2010.
Napoli have won 10 during a stretch that included five of the last six games between the sides in Naples.
Prediction
AC Milan stunned Juventus with a remarkable comeback in midweek, while Napoli got the job done against Verona.
The Rossoneri have the most in-form teams together Atalanta since the restart and just two points behind Partenopei.
Just as in the reverse fixture, this must be balanced and competitive game with both teams trying to negate each other.
Prediction: Napoli 1 1 AC Milan
