Week 26 Preview: Napoli – Milan

An unusual Monday evening match turns out to be one of the season’s biggest. The reverse fixture last October was a 4-0 home loss and perhaps best highlighted the current Milan’s fall from grace.

Fast forward some four mouths and Milan are in better shape with a healthy unbeaten streak but Napoli present a tougher test than recent matches and other than losing to Juventus and falling to second place in the process have been the team of the season so far.

The build up to this match has featured Silvio Berlusconi celebrating his 30th anniversary as team owner and president and yet again talking about an ‘Italian Milan’. One of the cornerstones of the aforementioned Italian identity is of course 21 year old Alessio Romagnoli. Midweek news had the center back missing the game due to flu and fever, however news late in the week has been less certain and it seems likely that he can make the bench at least while Zapata and Alex start. Elsewhere Abate should return and be joined by Antonelli for the full back positions.

The midfield is likely to be unchanged with Bonaventura, Bertolacci, Montolivo and Honda. Niang and Bacca will try to do better than Higuain and co and deliver much needed points. Follow the match on the forum.