NAPOLI v AC MILAN: DUELS

Napoli and AC Milan are undoubtedly two of the best sides in Serie A this season. Much of the merit help by both sides can be attributed to outstanding individuals, who lead the way this season. It should come as no surprise, then, that the individual duels in the match at the Maradona should capture the attention of football fans. Here is our selection of the most intriguing individual match-ups:

KALIDOU KOULIBALY v FIKAYO TOMORI
Let's start from the back and two of the best defenders in Italian football right now, both of whom form a key part of the spine for their respective sides. The Senegalese centre-back was out for the reverse fixture but is back at the heart of defence - the fewest goals conceded in Serie A this season - after being away at the Africa Cup of Nations and tomorrow's game could well represent a chance for him to cement his legacy at Napoli as he could move into ninth in the club's all-time appearance list (he is on 307). Shorter but equally as intense has been Tomori's time at AC Milan: the Englishman reached a half-century of appearances for the Rossoneri in the derby against Inter on Tuesday. Fik leads the way at AC Milan in various categories this season: passes completed (both overall and in his own half), duels, clearances and interceptions. Such numbers only serve to reinforce his importance in the third-best defence in the league.

FABIÁN RUIZ v ISMAËL BENNACER
Next up we have two key figures in the centre of the park, both of whom are in red-hot form right now. The Spaniard bagged last weekend scoring a 94th-minute winner against Lazio as the Partenopei drew level on points with AC Milan at the top. Ruiz is in his fourth year with Napoli and has, this season, already beaten his best-ever goal tally in a single league campaign (6 to the 5 scored in 2018/19) and has completed more passes in the opposition half than anybody else at the club. The former Real Betis man is also fifth in Serie A for the total number of passes completed (1,603) this season and also leads the league for the number of touches per 90 (97). The latter is a category, in which Bennacer excels too, fourth with 91 touches per game. Isma is one of the form players at AC Milan right now, as exemplified by his dazzling display in the derby in midweek, as well as his massive goal scored in Bologna. 

VICTOR OSIMHEN v OLIVIER GIROUD
A duel with two numbers in common: 9, for the number on their backs, and 7 for the goals scored by both in the league this season. This is a battle of the generations, which will undoubtedly have a huge impact on Sunday's big game. The 23-year-old Nigerian ended a goal drought in February with goals against Venezia and Cagliari, but he hasn't scored at home since 17 October, his longest streak without a goal at home in a Napoli shirt. Giroud also scored two league goals in February but he hasn't yet scored a single goal this season away from Milan: his last goal away from his home ground was on 15 February 2021 in the Premier League, though he did score against Inter in the league and assisted Rebić in Salerno.

LORENZO INSIGNE v RAFAEL LEÃO
The key players out wide and both scored in the last round of Serie A matches. Insigne's goal against Lazio was his seventh in the league this season. This will also be Insigne's last taste of Napoli v AC Milan as he is set to leave for Toronto at the end of the season. This is, however, a fixture in which the Partenopei's captain tends to stand out, having scored six goals in the clash in his career: if he were to score, he would equal the record of any Napoli player for goals against AC Milan. The reigning European champion is, furthermore, near the top of the leaderboard in Serie A this season for shot participations (115, 3rd) and assists (6, 9th). Leão is also the top goalscorer - level with Ibrahimović at his Club this season - on eight and has been simply sublime in 2022 so far, having won the MVP awards at AC Milan for the months of January and February. The Portuguese striker will be looking to get back on the scoresheet away from home as he hasn't scored on the road since bagging in Bologna on 23 October.

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