Week 30: Napoli – Milan

The international break might have brought time and rest (for those not called up to nation team duty) but the behind the scenes activity seems to have been in full force. Talk of future changes had already started earlier as Milan continued to falter in the Serie A. Conceicao could almost be described as a lame duck with his job on offer to Conte, De Zerbi and perhaps others. Player movement and a move to a more Italian Milan has been in circulation as well. All as rumours of course.

Is a top four and Champions League place and money completely out of the picture. Irish Free Bets is one place to wager on the chances. It is hoped not but Milan sit six points behind that objective and more importantly five places behind. The financial riches of qualification for Europe will have a lot to say for Milan’s summer transfers of course but keep being overstated magnifying the crisis atmosphere. The trip to Napoli will provide another glimpse as to where the team stands late in this 2024-2025 Serie A season.

The unpredictable lineups of this season are looking to continue and it is impossible to know which two central defenders will start for example. Latest word is Thiaw and Gabbia will start with Walker and Theo. The same could be said about the midfield pivots. Fofana hasn’t always convinced but he and Bondo provide the best options. Joao Felix’s underwhelming Milan career and Reijnder’s opposite trajectory are allowing the latter to hold on the more advanced midfield spot along side Pulisic and Leao. Gimenez has cooled off from his very good start and risks not being a starter for this match. Abraham will be the beneficiary. His and many others’ status will be decided in the summer as Milan look for yet more changes.

Napoli have ceded first place to Inter in recent weeks. Conte’s men have four draws in their last seven matches.

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