Analysis of our next opponent
Next up at the Stadio Maradona is Milan this Sunday. The Rossoneri are an inconsistent side who have had a tough season so far but are always a threat given the fantastic quality of their squad. Napoli come to this game with a 14-point advantage over their direct rivals (61 to 47) and only in three of the 153 previous meetings between the two teams in the history of the Italian top flight have they faced Milan higher in the standings. The Rossoneri’s recent form in Campania has been positive – they have remained unbeaten in all of the last six away games against Napoli in all competitions (three wins, three draws) and have never gone seven consecutive away games without defeat against the Azzurri in their history. Napoli's last win over Milan at the Maradona dates back to 25 August 2018, a 3-2 triumph in which Piotr Zielinski’s brace and Dries Mertens strike helped the hosts to make a comeback after Giacomo Bonaventura and Davide Calabria had given Milan a 2-0 lead. Additionally, Milan have found the back of the net in each of their last nine away games against the Neapolitans in Serie A, scoring 18 goals in the process, an average of two per game.
Comeback kings, Milan’s directness
Matchday 30’s most attractive fixture promises to be thrilling and potentially full of twists. Whoever takes the lead in this game should know that their advantage may well be short-lived. Milan and Napoli are two of the four teams that have won the most points in Serie A 2024/25 from losing positions - 15 for the Rossoneri (level with Atalanta) and 14 for the Azzurri, while Bologna are in first place with 16. Sergio Conceicao's team love to attack in a direct manner and make full use of any opportunity to counterattack thanks to the speed and quality of their attacking players, such as Rafa Leao to Christian Pulisic. Only Juventus (nine) have scored more goals than Milan from counterattacks (six, level with three other teams) in the 2024/25 season. When it comes to heading, it’s a different matter entirely. Napoli are the only team in the top five European leagues not to have conceded any headed goals while Milan have conceded just three, fewer than only the Neapolitans themselves and Udinese (one), and have also conceded two of these goals in the same match (against Atalanta, scored by Charles De Ketelaere and Ademola Lookman) on 6 December 2024, the last time Milan conceded a headed goal.
Reijnders’s purple patch, Pulisic and Leao’s goals and assists
The real bright spot in what’s been a tough season for Milan has been Tijjani Reijnders, his side’s top scorer this campaign in all competitions with 13 goals. The Dutchman, who has scored nine goals in Serie A this season, could become only the third Rossoneri central midfielder to reach double figures for goals in a single Serie A season in the last 15 years (since 2010/11), after Franck Kessie (13 in 2020/21) and Antonio Nocerino (10 in 2011/12). In addition to the former AZ Alkmaar player, the other driving force behind Milan - who has scored nine goals so far - is undoubtedly Christian Pulisic. He could make his 250th career appearance in the top five European leagues in this match. With 30 goals and 17 assists since joining Milan last season, the American winger is also one of only two Serie A players to have both scored at least 30 goals and provided at least 15 assists in all competitions, along with Ademola Lookman (35 goals and 15 assists). Finally, Rafael Leao's quality and creativity cannot be underestimated. He has been involved in four goals in the last six games against Napoli (two goals and two assists), including a brace at the Maradona in the league on 2 April 2023 when Milan claimed a 4-0 victory. The Portuguese, who has scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in 40 appearances for Milan this season in all competitions, could reach double figures for both goals and assists for the fourth consecutive season with the Rossoneri, becoming the third player in Europe's top five leagues (across all competitions) to reach double figures for both goals and assists in each of the last four seasons (since 2021/22), alongside Mohamed Salah and Bruno Fernandes.
