Napoli and Milan Clash in Crucial Serie A Showdown This Sunday

NAPLES, Italy — Sunday’s Serie A encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona between Napoli and AC Milan is set to be a thrilling showdown, as both teams strive for critical points to meet their respective season goals. The match kicks off at 20:30 local time and will be broadcast live on DAZN.

With Inter Milan currently leading the league, Napoli hopes to keep pace after struggling with only one victory in their last seven outings. Coach Sergio Conceiçao emphasized the importance of securing all three points to maintain their scudetto ambitions against a rival they haven’t lost to at home since August 2018.

On the other hand, AC Milan arrives with two consecutive victories under their belt but must continue their winning form to remain in the hunt for a Champions League qualification.

The official lineups for the match have been announced. Napoli will field goalkeeper Alex Meret, backed by a defensive line featuring Amir Rrahmani, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Matias Olivera will shore up the flanks. In midfield, the team fills roles with Stanislav Lobotka, Scott McTominay, and André Franck Zambo Anguissa. Striker Neres makes a comeback after injury to join Lukaku and Giacomo Raspadori in attack.

Here’s the official Napoli lineup: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Gilmour, Lobotka, Anguissa; Politano, Lukaku, Neres.

Milan, managed by Stefano Pioli, will rely on Mike Maignan in goal, with a defense including Matteo Gabbia and Strahinja Pavlovic at center-back. They will feature Achraf Hakimi and Theo Hernandez out wide, both instrumental in offense. The midfield will see the absences of Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Youssouf Fofana, with Bondo stepping in alongside Fofana. The attacking trio consists of Reijnders flanked by Joao Felix and Christian Pulisic, with Tammy Abraham leading the line.

Here’s the official Milan lineup: Maignan; Walker, Gabbia, Pavlovic, Theo Hernandez; Bondo, Fofana; Pulisic, Reijnders, Joao Felix; Abraham.

Lobotka spoke ahead of the match, stating, “Our fans are crucial for us. They give us the motivation to perform well. This Sunday, we will give our all to secure a win.” The urgency for both sides underscores the stakes, with Napoli aiming for a title challenge and Milan wanting to lock down a Champions League spot.