Napoli vs AC Milan – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Napoli and AC Milan will lock horns in the Supercoppa Italiana semi-final on Thursday, at the King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Napoli vs AC Milan – Match preview and team news

Napoli team news

Romelu Lukaku has returned to full training after 124 days sidelined by a thigh injury sustained during pre-season against Olympiacos. The Belgian striker is available in the squad for the Supercoppa Italiana, although he is unlikely to start immediately, given his extended period of inactivity.

Midfielder Stanislav Lobotka marked his return from injury off the bench during Napoli’s 1-0 Serie A loss against Udinese on December 14 and should be available in Saudi Arabia. However, other key midfield personnel remain unavailable: Kevin De Bruyne, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, and Billy Gilmour are not expected to return until 2026.

Defender Mathias Olivera has been ruled a doubt due to a muscular strain in his calf sustained during training. Jesus Nunes and goalkeeper Alex Meret are also unavailable. Rasmus Hojlund, the loan signing from Manchester United, has scored crucial goals for Napoli this season, including a brace in the 2-1 victory over Juventus, and is expected to feature in the attack.

AC Milan team news

AC Milan have suffered a blow with defender Matteo Gabbia sustaining a hyperextension trauma to his left knee during the 2-2 draw with Sassuolo on December 14. However, clinical and instrumental tests have ruled out any long-term serious injuries, offering Milan relief.

Gabbia is unlikely to feature in the Supercoppa semi-final but is expected to be fit for Serie A action against Hellas Verona on December 28.

Christian Pulisic remains Milan’s standout performer this season, having scored seven goals and provided two assists in 10 Serie A matches, establishing himself as the Rossoneri’s primary attacking threat. The American winger’s shooting accuracy stands at 73.33%, with 11 shots on target from 15 attempts.

Form

Napoli

Following a 2-0 defeat to Benfica in the UEFA Champions League on December 10, Conte’s side were shocked 1-0 away at Udinese on December 14, marking their first league game without a shot on target since January 2024. The defeat placed Napoli third in Serie A, two points behind leaders Inter Milan and one point behind second-place AC Milan.

AC Milan

Massimiliano Allegri’s side is unbeaten in their last two Serie A outings. A 2-2 home draw with Sassuolo was their most recent encounter, as AC Milan sits second in Serie A on 32 points, one point ahead of Napoli but also one point behind leaders Inter Milan.

Predicted lineups

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Lang, Neres; Hojlund.

AC Milan: Maignan; De Winter, Tomori, Pavlovic; Saelemaekers, Loftus-Cheek, Modric, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Pulisic, Nkunku.

How to watch Napoli vs AC Milan?

UK fans can watch the match on Premier Sports.

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