The lineups of Napoli and AC Milan are known. The two Italian superpowers will compete against each other on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions League. What is striking is that Napoli takes office without a real striker. Due to injuries to Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Simeone, trainer Luciano Spalletti chooses midfielder Elif Elmas as a false striker. Giacamo Raspadori is sitting on the couch. The match starts at 9 p.m. and can be viewed on Ziggo Sports Select.
With the 0-4 (!) league victory over Napoli still fresh in mind, Milan faces the diptych with confidence. The big win against the leader was remarkable, as it was Milan’s first victory after four games without a win. The fact that Milan is performing erratically was reflected again on Friday. Milan then suffered an expensive loss of points against the stiff Empoli (0-0). Earlier this season, Napoli won 1-2 against Pioli’s team. In addition, Milan only managed to win once in their last eight home games against Napoli. I Rossoneri, who have reported to the last eight of the billion dollar ball for the first time since 2012, do not have access to Pierre Kalulu. The French defender is struggling with calf problems.
Spalletti is struggling with the necessary headaches in the forefront. Club top scorer Osimhen (29 goals) has not recovered sufficiently from the muscle injury in his left leg, while Simeone was out with a thigh injury in the match at Lecce (1-2) on Friday. On the other hand, Raspadori, good for four Champions League goals this season, is available for Spalletti again. Napoli, who have entered the last eight of the Champions League for the first time in history, are performing excellently in away games. The last eight games away from home were converted into wins. Gli Azzurri only lost one away game in Serie A this season, on January 4 against Internazionale (1-0).
Napoli line-up: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mario Rui; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Elmas, Kvaratskhelia.
Lineup AC Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, Hernandez; Bennacer, Tonali; Diaz, Krunic, Leao; Giroud.