When the two Italian powerhouses met at the Stadio Maradona earlier in the month, Milan emerged victorious with a 4-0 scoreline and they again beat Napoli at the San Siro Stadium 1-0 to put one leg firmly in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals. Napoli are now leading the Serie A with a 14 points difference with only 8 matches left to be played. To advance to the Champions League final four, however, Napoli must overcome a deficit after failing to defeat Milan in recent weeks. 

Despite a fast start at the San Siro last week, Napoli were unable to take their chances in the first-leg fixture, and Ismael Bennacar's strike just before half-time gave Milan the lead and the advantage going into the second leg. Later on in the match,  Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa received a second booking being sent off the pitch adding more trouble to Napoli. They have come from being held to a goalless draw in the weekend by relegation-threatened Hellas Verona and the only delight for Naples was perhaps when star striker Victor Osimhen returned from injury as a second-half substitute. 

The last Italian side to beat Napoli three times in one season was Lazio and that was way back in the 1994-1995 season but Milan will surely feel they have the Azzurri's number after back-to-back wins over them this month. Milan have also taken all three points from each of their last three visits to Naples and so will not be intimidated by the hostile reception they will receive at the Stadio Maradona. They are now within touching distance of another semi-final place in a competition where they have a rich history. Milan have proceeded from 38 out of 44 European ties that they have been victorious at home soil in the first leg. 

Milan have, however, been on a dismal defense of their Serie A title with the victory over Napoli being the only success they have collected domestically since February. However, Milan consistently thrive in continental competition, and a sometimes shaky defense has not shipped a single goal in their last five Champions League matches. Tonight's match will be a great measure of Napoli's agility in Europe's top competition. Can they overturn Milan's win?

(Image: Sempre Milan)