AC MILAN v NAPOLI: MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A
After Wednesday's satisfying Champions League win, AC Milan immediately return to San Siro to face Spalletti's Napoli side in a top of the table clash, that closes this first round of league and cup matches as the international stage takes over. The two sides have so far started the season in fine fashion, as highlighted by their defeats column registering zero.
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Pioli's side have the chance to make the most of the San Siro factor to win their second game of the season against a direct rival, and win three consecutive Serie A games in a row after coming out on top in the derby and the following away win to Sampdoria. The Emilian Head Coach will have to make do without the suspended Leão and consider changing the team's formation. Messias and Saelemaekers may both find themselves starting out wide, while Charles De Ketelaere will be itching to get a starting berth after his midweek place on the bench. With Origi and Rebić still injured, Olivier Giroud will lead the Rossoneri's front line attack.
"I'm expecting a tough match, Napoli have many talented players and an extremely capable Head Coach, who is able to set up his team with a clear identity. They've made a really good start to the season;" - commented Stefano Pioli in his press conference on the eve of the game. "I consider it title-winning match because the league will be so tight that three points could make the difference come the end of the season.".
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The Partenopei arrive at Sunday's game in good form, having won four games on the trot in the league and Champions League. Led by their key men in the striking department, Zieliński and Kvaratskhelia, the Azzurri have also shown a cynical side, after Giacomo Raspadori's first goal for the club in the dying moments in their last outing against Spezia. With Osimhen out, the Italy international will be battling it out with Simeone for the central role in the front three.
"AC Milan are the Champions of Italy; they probably have an advantage over us. We need to go a bit harder than them" - said Luciano Spalletti. "Pioli is very good at keeping everyone united. Last year, they had a great season from many different points of view. I'm expecting a great game tomorrow".
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Maurizio Mariani will referee the game with Preti and Berti as his assistants, and Dionisi as the Fourth Official. Irrati is on VAR duties and will be assisted by Giallatini. For the official from Rome, it will be the first time he has officiated this fixture and his third this season, after Udinese v Fiorentina on 31 August. Mariani has been taken charge of 13 games involving AC Milan in Serie A with the Rossoneri winning eight times, drawing twice and losing three.
Matchday 7 opened up on Friday night with Lecce winning 2-1 away at Salernitana. Saturday saw Bologna v Empoli 0-1, Spezia v Sampdoria 2-1 and Torino v Sassuolo 0-1. Today's schedule sees: Inter v Udinese at 12.30 CEST., Fiorentina v Hellas Verona, Monza v Juventus and Cremonese v Lazio all at 15.00 CEST, then Roma v Atalanta at 18.00 CEST.
Here is the Serie A table: Atalanta 14, Napoli 14, Milan 14, Udinese 13, Roma 13, Inter 12, Lazio 11, Juventus 10, Torino* 10, Sassuolo* 9, Spezia* 8, Salernitana* 7, Empoli* 7, Fiorentina 6, Lecce* 6, Bologna* 6, Hellas Verona 5, Sampdoria* 2, Cremonese 2, Monza 1. * = one additional game played
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