NAPOLI v AC MILAN: THE BRIEFING

We finish an intense month of October with a big one. Napoli v AC Milan has often drawn the attention of football fans everywhere and is, this season, a meeting of the two most recent champions of Italy. This Sunday-night fixture on matchday 10 is sure to have big implications for both sides in the table. In preparation for the game, let's take a look at three talking points with our briefing.

BACK TO WINNING WAYS AT THE MARADONA
The iconic stadium in Naples has, in the last two seasons, played host to unforgettable moments. The tight 1-0 win, with Giroud's goal, in March 2022 in the race towards the Rossoneri's 19th Scudetto. The two games last April, with a 4-0 win in Serie A and a 1-1 draw in the Champions League. This AC Milan side has proved that it can get a result in Fuorigrotta, even when tasked with getting back to winning ways. All three of these results have this in common. In 2022, we went into the game following draws with Salernitana and Udinese that slowed our title charge; last spring, we picked up just one point from three matches in March. This time, we go into it off the back of defeats to Juventus and PSG. There's plenty of desire to go again amongst a squad that, this season, has often proved that it could come together as a unit.

THREE OPTIONS FOR KVARATSKHELIA
There's no need to beat around the bush. With Victor Osimhen out injured, Napoli's chief threat comes in the form of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia. The Georgian's performances have improved drastically in recent outings, having scored a brace against Verona and assisted Raspadori last time out in the Champions League. Much of the Rossoneri's pre-match defensive discussions will revolve around how to limit Kvara and Pioli could turn to recent experiences for inspiration. The Rossoneri's head coach has three options. Let's start with captain Calabria who put in a great performance last season when tasked with marking the Georgian flier. Kalulu is another option; he is back fit and could play at full-back or in the centre of defence with Thiaw out through suspension. Both Pierre and Davide came up against Mbappé in Europe in midweek. A third option, maybe off the bench, is Florenzi; the Roman started the season well and his experience could be an added bonus at the back.

POSSESSION AND FINISHING
The game at the Maradona is a meeting of the two sides with the highest passing accuracy in the league this season: Napoli with 88% and AC Milan with 87%. Both the Azzurri and Rossoneri like to keep possession of the football, build up from the back - a reminder that Tomori has the highest number of completed passes in Serie A this season - and threaten through their wide men. Though Napoli and AC Milan are similar in their style of play and how they move the football, a marked difference this season has been in their efficiency in the final. Rudi Garcia's side have created a lot but converted relatively little (only 48% of their 29 big chances), while the Rossoneri have been much more clinical in domestic football than they have in Europe. In fact, Pioli's men have had the most shots on target in Serie A this season and have converted the highest percentage of their big chances: 76% of 17 big chances created. Throughout these 90 minutes of football, in which every detail makes a difference, making use of every opportunity will be vital.

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