AC Milan host Napoli in the first leg of an all-Italian Champions League quarterfinal. The soon-to-be Serie A champions match up against the reigning. Serie A champs with both teams harbouring realistic expectations of reaching the final.
Luciano Spalletti’s Napoli side has been nearly unbeatable in both league. European action this season, and were for a while the most in-form side on the continent. Recent slips have seen them left with something to prove in this game.
AC Milan vs Napoli live , TV channel, time, for Champions League 1st leg
Napoli fell to Lazio in early March, and then suffered a heavy 4-0 league loss to this same AC Milan team just a week ago. As they march comfortably toward the 2022/23 Serie A title, Napoli’s recent missteps coupled with a slight defensive regression means they aren’t quite the juggernaut they once were considered, and could be vulnerable.
But AC Milan are mired in a run of inconsistency as well, and need to bring their best to down Napoli for a second time in succession. Down to the final eight of the Champions League, the margins will be razor thin between two opponents who know each other well.
AC Milan vs Napoli live , TV channel, time, for Champions League 1st leg
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AC Milan vs Napoli lineups, team news
AC Milan have very few injury concerns to worry about. Brahim Diaz, Rafael Leao, Simon Kjaer, and Olivier Giroud were all rested over the weekend, but are all fit to start this game.
AC Milan vs Napoli live , TV channel, time, for Champions League 1st leg
The only regular starter on the sidelines is defender Pierre Kalulu who has missed two straight league games with a calf injury, although he did do some light training on Monday and even he passes a late fitness test to make the bench. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, has been slow to return fully from his injury troubles, and after missing the weekend match, he is still not training fully with the squad.
AC Milan confirmed starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan (GK) — Calabria, Kjaer, Tomori, L. Hernandez – Krunic, Tonali — B. Diaz, Bennacer, Leao — Giroud.
Napoli confirmed starting lineup (4-4-2): Meret (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Rui — Anguissa, Lobotka, lmas, Zielinski — Lozano, Kvaratskhelia.
The betting market is favouring the under 2.5 total goals as scoring is thought to be at a premium.
