Napoli vs AC Milan: Napoli hoping to spark comeback in must-win game

Topics: TV Schedules, TV Listings, Napoli, AC Milan, UEFA Champions League

The Partenopei have 90 minutes to save their Champions League campaign as they prepare to welcome the Rossoneri for part two of their quarter-finals tie.

For the third time in the space of a fortnight, Napoli and AC Milan will be locking horns. So far, it's been all advantage Rossoneri, who first beat the Partenopei 4-0 in Serie A before battling to a 1-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-finals tie.

Napoli are into the quarter-finals for the first time in club history, and while the Southern Italian side are still on top of Serie A, their poor showing during a dull scoreless stalemate against Hellas Verona will have raised some concerns in some quarters. That being said, Napoli's home record in the Champions League certainly is not something to be ignored. The Partenopei are unbeaten in their last 12 on home turf (W9 D3), with their last loss taking place back in 2017 when they were beaten 4-2 by Manchester City.

In addition, Napoli have won their last four games at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, while scoring at least three times during those ties. Their attack certainly have also received a huge boost with the return of Nigerian international Victor Osimhen after he missed out on the last leg due to injury. Osimhen came off the bench during Napoli's 0-0 draw against Hellas Verona, and while he unfortunately was unable to find the back of the net, his return definitely has helped to encourage Napoli supporters ahead of this must-win game.

Milan, meanwhile, also had a disappointing result over the weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Bologna. At this point, Stefano Pioli's side, who are the reigning Scudetto champions, have resigned themselves to the fact that Napoli will be the ones on the winners' podium in Serie A. Still, there's plenty of opportunity for an even bigger title, as they are just 90 minutes away from their first semi-finals appearance since the 2006/07 season - when they also happened to win their last Champions League title.

Impressive for Milan is their defensive record - not only did they shut out Napoli in recent back to back games, but also they have kept clean sheets in their last five UCL ties. Of course, Osimhen's return could threaten that record, but history does appear to be on Milan's side. To date, they have progressed in all but six of their last 44 European ties in which they won the first leg, and given the fact that Napoli will be missing two key defenders due to suspension, the odds just could be tipped in favor of Pioli's side to progress to their first semi-finals appearance in well over a decade.

Team news: Napoli vs Milan

Napoli: The hosts have been given a big boost with the return of Victor Osimhen to action, and the Nigerian international is expected to start this game. However, Napoli will be missing key defensive duo Zambo Anguissa and Kim Min-jae due to suspension, while Giovanni Simeone is still not recovered from a thigh injury.

Milan: No fresh injury or suspension concerns for Milan ahead of this game.

Match facts: Napoli vs Milan

Milan could become the first team to beat Napoli three times in the same season since Lazio did so in the 1994/95 term
The Rossoneri have also won their last three away matches against Napoli
However, Napoli are unbeaten in their last 12 UCL home ties (W9 D3)
Milan have kept clean sheets in their last five UCL games
The Rossoneri have progressed in 38 of their last 44 European ties in which they won the first leg