AC MILAN v NAPOLI: MATCH PREVIEW
Serie A
A month of wins and clean sheets ends with the most difficult clash, that against the reigning champions. September for the Rossoneri comes to a close with AC Milan v Napoli, the big match on Serie A matchday 5 and a chance for Massimiliano Allegri's team to test their progress and ambitions against an undefeated Napoli side. 90 important minutes to be played out at a fully-packed San Siro, which we take a look at with our Match Preview.
LATEST FROM MILANELLO
From Lecce to Lecce, with games against Bologna and Udinese. The Rossoneri have shown great from and come into the Napoli clash in the best possible way. The work at Milanello has been intense following the win in the Coppa Italia, bringing chances to work on the little details to be ready for this big occasion. The main news from the week is that Rafael Leão has rejoined the team, ready to play following the injury he sustained against Bari in the middle of August: the Portuguese international will probably start on the bench but will be ready to make his mark in the second half. The only player who won't make the game remains to be Ardon Jashari, with the winning team from Udine expecting to be unchanged, apart from Maignan replacing Terracciano, following his recovery for Tuesday's Coppa Italia match. There are no suspended players for a match in which the Club will promote various initiatives for International Week of Deaf People.
"We know that we're facing the team that deservedly won the Scudetto last season, who have had an important transfer window and are still the favourites for the title", said Massimiliano Allegri, who returns following his suspension. "It will be an important test, we're in good condition, physically and mentally. The more that we're together, working and getting to know each other, the better we will be: we'll need 100 solid minutes. There's a group of players that is becoming a team, we need to work on this. Personal objectives have to come second to that of the group: to reach our objective: making sure AC Milan is in the Champions League next year".
LATEST FROM NAPOLI
Four matches and four wins in the first 360 minutes of the Partenopei's league campaign, with just one loss coming in the Champions League against Manchester City, in a match that was marked by the fact that they were playing with ten men. Paradoxically, Conte's side have been less convincing at home: needing a goal late on to beat Cagliari and showing some defensive fragility last Monday against Pisa. They will be missing a key player in defence, Buongiorno: the Italian centre back is likely to be out for a month, Juan Jesus is predicted to come in to replace him. It is also worth highlighting the absences of Rrahmani, Spinazzola and Olivera from the back line too. There is also good news for Conte, who should be able to revert to his usual midfield with the likes of Lobotka and Anguissa coming into an area which already boasts De Bruyne and McTominay. The choices for positions seem pretty fixed, with the only possible change coming between the sticks. Meret and Milinković-Savić are both vying for a starting spot (Meret being the favourite). There are no suspensions for Napoli either.
"It's not been an unfortunate week, but there are many times when problems arise in the season", Antonio Conte said in his press conference. "When you play against teams like AC Milan, it's always a big match, because of history, tradition, trophies and the fact that they're always pushing their ambitions every season: we have respect for everyone and we have to try to play the match in the way we want to. We've changed a lot compared to last season, we know that, it will be an important match because we need these occasions to build up experience. It's a single match, there's a whole season ahead for everyone, but each team will want to do their best".
PRE-MATCH STATS
WHERE TO WATCH AC MILAN v NAPOLI
In Italy, the match will be shown on DAZN. To watch it in a different country, you will need to head to the "AC Milan on TV" section under the heading "Abroad". The Matchday coverage will be available on Milan TV: with the live stream starting from 20:00 CEST leading you right up to kick-off. Following the match, there will be coverage of player interviews and Coach Allegri's press conference. Don't miss the coverage on acmilan.com, AC Milan Official App, the Social Media channels and WhatsApp.
LATEST FROM SERIE A
The match will be officiated by Daniele Chiffi, in his 116th Serie A match. For him, it is the first game involving either of these sides this season. The last time he officiated a match involving the Rossoneri was on 2 February, in the derby. Meli and Alassio will be the linesmen, Marinelli will be the Fourth Official, with Marini on VAR and Doveri as AVAR.
Matchday 5 of the Serie A 2025/26 season began yesterday, Saturday 27 September, with three matches: Como 1-1 Cremonese, Juventus 1-1 Atalanta and Cagliari 0-2 Inter. The schedule on Sunday 28 is filled with games: before AC Milan v Napoli, there will be Sassuolo v Udinese at 12:30 CEST, Roma v Hellas Verona and Pisa v Fiorentina at 15:00 CEST, Lecce v Bologna at 18:00 CEST. Then, to round the matchday off on Monday 29, Parma v Torino (18:30 CEST) and Genoa v Lazio (20:45 CEST).
Here are the current standings: Napoli 12; Juventus* 11; AC Milan, Roma, Inter*, Atalanta* and Cremonese* 9; Como* 8; Udinese and Cagliari* 7; Bologna 6; Torino 4; Lazio, Sassuolo and Hellas Verona 3; Genoa, Fiorentina and Parma 2; Pisa and Lecce 1. (*= game in hand)
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