Domestic battle have been brought into the Champions League quarterfinals as AC Milan host Napoli in the first leg on Wednesday.
Milan, seven-time Champions League winners, have not won the title since 2007 and Napoli have never reached the quarters before.
This is the first time since 2012 that AC Milan have reached this stage of the competition and a win here can keep their dream alive.
Milan have won only one of their last nine home games against Napoli, with their only such victory during this period coming in the 2019 Coppa Italia quarters.
Though the hosts convincingly beat Napoli 4-0 away from home in the Serie A earlier this month and are hoping to replicate the resounding win.
The visitors find solace in the fact that Milan have won just three of their 16 most recent Champions League knockout matches, failing to score in 10.
Napoli have won each of their last three matches away from home against AC Milan in all competitions – their best ever run against them.
The visitors are on course to win their first Serie A title in 33 years, as they sit 16 points clear on top of the table.
This is the first time there are 3 Italian teams in the quarters of the Champions League quarterfinals but only one will make it out here.
Will it be the Rossoneri or can Napoli replicate their league form in Europe and come out on top? Click here to place your bet on the game.
What time does Milan vs Napoli start?
The game kicks off at 10pm Kenyan time at the San Siro.
Milan vs Napoli team news
Simon Kjaer and Rade Krunic are raring to return to the starting XI and they are very likely to start here.
Olivier Giroud as well as Rafael Leao will also feature from the jump and Stefano Pioli’s side will heavily rely on them for the goals.
The rest of the squad is unlikely to change.
For the visitors, the absence of Victor Osimhen through a thigh injury is their biggest loss and will need to find a way without their top scorer.
In his absence, Piotr Zielinski, Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori will lead the attacking line as they look to add to their 4 UCL goals each.
Milan vs Napoli head to head
Napoli have a good recent record against their opponents and have won 13 of the last 32 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Milan’s eight victories.
Milan vs Napoli current form
The hosts come into the game on a poor run of form that has seen them win once in their last 5 games, while playing out to 3 draws.
Napoli on the other hand have won 4 games in that run, only losing once in the 4-0 demolition by their opponents.
Milan vs Napoli prediction
This will undoubtedly be a heated encounter between the two teams and the absence of Osimhen will definitely be felt.
However, both teams are tipped to score but Milan may just come away with a first leg home win on the night.