Serie A Preview- S.S.C Napoli vs. A.C Milan: Will Cavani outshine Pato?
Napoli will host the Defending Champions, A.C Milan, in a crunch Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo on September, 18th, 2011 at 19:45 GMT.
The Rossoneri are yet to taste a win this season, as they drew 2-2 in their opening league game against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Barcelona-c38604 also finished with a same score-line
in the midweek.
On the other hand, Napoli comprehensively won their opening league game against Cesena 3-1 and drew 1-1 in their European game against Manchester City on the road.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003
Walter Mazzarri’s men come into this game with a poor history playing against Milan. The Azzurri have won only once in their last 16 encounters against the Rossoneri. However, their home form is still something that they can cheer
from. Napoli have lost only once in their last 15 league games at home and picked up 40 points playing at Stadio San Paolo last season.
Coach Walter Mazzarri is eager to improve on his team’s record against the big teams and has urged his players to go on and play their natural game.
A.C Milan
The holders will be looking to bounce back from a frustrating draw in their opening league game and will hope to pick up the momentum from the start of the season. Milan have not lost to Napoli in their last six encounters, which
will boost their confidence going into the game.
Massimiliano Allegri’s men won 2-1 in the corresponding fixture last season while thrashed the Partenopei side 3-0 in the San Siro game earlier this year.
Team News
Napoli
The hosts will be without the services of their star player, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Miguel-Britos-c25544 are also missing for the game through injuries.
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Edinson-Cavani-c11955 upfront in a 3-4-1-2 formation for the hosts.
Expected line-up: De Sanctis; Campagnaro, Cannavaro, Aronica; Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Dossena; Hamsik; Pandev, Cavani
Milan
Milan face a huge injury crisis, as several of their first-team stars have been ruled out of the game. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Massimo-Ambrosini-c24579 and Kevin Prince Boateng will
all sit out due to various injury problems. The manager announced in his pre-match conference that http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Clarence-Seedorf-c9275 occupying the trequartista role.
Expected Line-up: Abbiati; Abate, Nesta, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Thiago-Silva-c34903, Antonini; Nocerino, Van Bommel, Aquilani; Seedorf; Cassano, Pato
Players to Watch
Edinson Cavani
Last season’s top goal-scorer for the club, Cavani, will have to step up and take the goal-scoring burden on his shoulders in the absence of Lavezzi. 'El Matador' almost single-handedly helped his side in finishing third in the
league table last season and his performances will once again be key to Napoli’s success in the ongoing campaign.
Alexandre Pato
It took only 24 seconds for the Brazilian international to find his best. The striker stunned the Camp Nou crowd as he scored inside the opening minute of the Champions League game against the Catalans. Pato will have to repeat
last game’s heroics once again as he will be Milan’s main man in the absence of Ibrahimovic.
Prediction
Despite Milan’s superiority in the previous ties between the two teams, this game promises to be a mouth-watering contest and open for anytime to go and win it. However, provided Milan’s injury woes and Napoli’s great fighting
spirit of late, bettor.com predicts shared honours at the Satdio San Paolo.
Verdict: 2-2
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