Napoli – AC Milan: Milan Catapult Themselves To Top Spot (0-1)

In identical formations, similar avenues were available for both Napoli and Milan in punishing space offered in midfield. This set the scene for a thrilling battle worthy of its billing as a top-of-the-table contest. Napoli’s creative force was blunted in the final third with the Osimhen-reliant play leading to limited chances as Milan proved more decisive in attack.
Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

The home side sat in second place and a single point behind the league-leading Internazionale. They welcomed a third-placed Milan side which they were level on points with. The Scudetto race which seemingly has three members - although hope is beginning to simmer in Turin - had just eleven fixtures remaining as these two squads met. This set the scene for their clash for three points which could be defining for their end-of-season outcomes.

Luciano Spalleti’s team was set up as follows. In a 4-2-3-1 formation, David Ospina kept watch of the goal with a backline of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Kalidou Koulibaly and Mário Rui ahead of him. The pair in midfield, Stanislav Lobotka and Fabián Ruiz, operated behind the advanced Piotr Zieliński. In the wide areas, Napoli deployed Matteo Politano and Lorenzo Insigne while Victor Osimhen was up front.

Stefano Pioli’s side were in an identical 4-2-3-1 shape as their hosts with Mike Maignan being their goalkeeper. The center-back duo of Fikayo Tomori and Pierre Kalulu were flanked by Davide Calabria and Theo Hernandez. Sandro Tonali and Ismaël Bennacer were listed as double pivot Two central midfielders next to each other. with Franck Kessié being the attacking . . .