AC Milan face Napoli today at 20:30 in a mammoth task against Serie A’s second best team. Former coach Carlo Ancelotti returns for the first time as opponent at San Siro.
After a very intense week filled with transfer news it’s time to concentrate on the pitch. Gonzalo Higuain has finally left AC Milan to join Chelsea but the Rossoneri can count on new arrival Krzysztof Piatek “born ready” to do what the Argentine couldn’t for the team. The former Genoa star is expected to start Milan-Napoli from the bench in the second half.
AC Milan-Napoli marks also the return of legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti at San Siro for the first time as an opponent. His former student Gennaro Gattuso must prepare the match better this time after the devastating 3-2 comeback suffered in the first leg.
Gigio Donnarumma will start between the posts while is worth noting the absence of Pepe Reina due to injury. The good news is the return of captain Alessio Romagnoli at the center of the defense alongside Mateo Musacchio. Zapata is also unavailable because of injury. Yet again Gattuso is preferring Calabria over Andrea Conti while Ricardo Rodriguez completes the back line.
Franck Kessie returns too after the Super Cup red card. He teams with in-form Bakayoko and Lucas Paqueta in midfield. In attack, as explained above, it will be Patrick Cutrone to start from the first minute with Piatek ready to give a helping hand if needed. The Polish striker obviously may need some time to adapt before becoming a regular. Hakan Calhanoglu and Suso will be in support of Cutrone.
AC Milan-Napoli, probable lineups
AC MILAN (4-3-3) – Donnarumma; Calabria, Musacchio, Romagnoli, Rodriguez; Kessié, Bakayoko, Paquetà; Suso, Cutrone, Calhanoglu.
NAPOLI(4-4-2) – Maksimovic; Hysaj, Alboiol, Koulibaly, Mario Rui; Callejon, Ruiz, Diawara, Zielinski (Hamsik); Insigne (Mertens), Milik.
