UCL 2022-23: AC Milan vs Napoli: Predicted lineup, injury news, head-to-head, telecast

The quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League kick off this week

The UEFA Champions League is set to return, to take the big picture once again,  With no doubt, this competition will be stealing the thunder the leagues have garnered in the past couple of weeks. All eyes turn to Europe where the likes of Madrid, Napoli and Manchester City slug it out for the prestigious trophy.

Luciano Spalleti’s men are one of the luckiest sides in terms of the quarter-final draw, having gotten AC Milan as opponents. And they are also one of the unluckiest sides considering the thrashing they recently endured at the hands of the Rossoneri. Napoli was trounced by AC Milan 0-4 on the road. Since Stefano Pioli took over at AC Milan in October 2019, the Rossoneri have triumphed in Serie A on five different occasions against the team in the first place, at least twice more. Whereas the side from Milan will look to perform in the same way as they performed a week ago against Napoli.

Kick-Off:

Wednesday, 13-04-2023, 7:00 PM(GMT)

Thursday, 14-04-2023, 12:30AM(IST)

AC Milan Form(All Competitions): D-W-L-D-D-L

Napoli Form(All Competitions): W-L-W-W-W-L

Players to Watch Out

AC Milan: Rafael Leao

He plays as a wide attacking midfielder, or as the position suggests he is a left winger. He occupies the left berth but can also play in the middle. He plays as an inverted winger, as he is right-footed, and he likes to cut inside the box and take a shot. He is confident in dribbling past players and he has confidence in his shooting ability regardless of the distance or angle. 

Napoli: Khvicha Kvaratskhelia

With Victor Osimhen possibly missing out on the trip to San Siro, his partner-in-crime, Kvaratskhelia may have big shoes to fill in come next week Wednesday. Many clubs are looking for him to sign next season. Both stars of the Italian outfit have formed a formidable duo this spell, sharing a total of 39 goals between them.

Match Facts

• Napoli has conceded only four losses this season. In the Champions League, they have lost only one fixture, a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool in the group stages.
• The four defeats conceded by Napoli this season have all been goalless outings for Spalleti’s side
• Milan has not won any of their last four home fixtures against Napoli. They’ve resulted in three losses and one draw.
• Of the seven wins in eight games recorded by Napoli in the Champions League this season, they’ve won five games by at least a three-goal margin.

Injury and Team news

Rafael Leao and Olivier Giroud will be back from the start, with Simon Kjaer and Rade Krunic likely to join them. Brahim Diaz also returns, in hope of replicating his superb performance against Napoli earlier this month. Pierre Kalulu is expected to miss out with a calf problem.

In addition to the bitter blow of losing Serie A's Capocanonniere leader Osimhen to a thigh injury, his deputy Simeone is now a doubt after picking up a knock against Lecce.

Head-to-Head Stats

Matches - 31

AC Milan - 8

Napoli - 12

Draw - 11

Predicted Lineups

AC Milan Predicted lineup (3-4-2-1): 

Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernandez; Tonali, Krunic, Bennacer; Diaz, Leao; Giroud

Napoli Predicted lineup (4-3-3):

Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rrahmani, Rui; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Lozano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia

Prediction

Both teams represent Serie A and are currently in impressive form. Recently, both sides met in the league and AC Milan celebrated a 4-0 victory. However, this being a Champions League game changes the storyline of the match and the first leg could end in a draw.

Prediction: AC Milan 1-1 Napoli

Telecast

India – Sony Sports Network, Sony LIV, Jio TV

USA – CBS Sports.

UK – BT Sport.

Nigeria – SuperSport.