Week 28: Napoli – Milan

Milan entered the latest international break reverting into crisis mode. Losing 3-1 to Udinese meant more questions about all on the team, top to bottom. The summer 2022 transfer window remains in focus as the team – with newcomers like De Ketelaere – looking like a regressing group with Pioli’s job in danger too. The final stretch starts the day after April Fool’s day with a top four spot eagerly required. While talk of a new stadium seems to be moving ahead, at snail’s pace of course, upcoming and future transfer windows will define the intervening years until a new home is finally ready.

Milan can not remain without injuries and Ibra has re-joined the list. For some reason still on international duty at 41 Ibra is injured again. Messias and Kalulu are carrying injuries as well. There has been talk of a return to a back four after a few weeks of the back three resulting in some good and some more poor results. Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori and Theo are the likely starters versus the runaway Serie A leaders. Tonali, Bennacer should start as pivots with at least one source claiming Krunic starting in a more advanced role but supporting the pivots. Diaz, Leao and Giroud should take the other spots.

While many wait and hope for Leao’s contract extension saga to have a happy ending the team needs to focus in these final 10 games. Second to sixth place are separated by only six points and this is without counting Juve possibly winning back their 15 points deduction on appeal.

Late in the week brought news that Victor Osimhen will miss at least two weeks with an injury. Therefore a weakened Napoli host Milan this weekend and will remain handicapped for at least one leg of their upcoming Champions League quarterfinals meeting as well. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is arguably Napoli’s biggest danger man however.

There is always more about this match and others on the forums.