Napoli vs. AC Milan: Complete Preview, Start Time and Schedule

Napoli welcomes AC Milan to San Paolo on Sunday for a return of Serie A play. Both storied clubs will have to ignore the rush they are feeling from exciting Champions League play. 

AC Milan faced a deep Barcelona side at the Camp Nou, and came away with a share of the points. Napoli was just as successful, drawing 1-1 against Manchester City. 

Two old foes will need to continue their top-shelf play in the chase for Serie A glory. Here is a breakdown of the upcoming clash of Italian titans. 

Where: Stadio San Paolo, Naples, Italy

When: Sunday, September 18th, 2:45 PM ET  

Watch: FOX Soccer Channel, coverage starts at 2:30 PM ET

Live Streaming: ESPN3, coverage starts at 2:40 PM ET

Player to Watch for on Napoli: Napoli will employ the same grit and determination on the backline that they showed against Manchester City.

Paolo Cannavaro is the key to Napoli frustrating an exciting Milan attack.  

Player to Watch for on AC Milan: Milan has a stout backline as well, but I am interested to see what Alexandre Pato does for an encore. 

The forward hit home a goal within 30 seconds against Barcelona. If Milan is to succeed, he is going to be called upon to give Napoli fits. 

Key Matchup: Both teams will be content to sit back and, at times, bring five defenders back to start the game. This will not be a boring defensive game, but the defense is what will be featured. 

Milan has the guns to push the ball forward, even without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who could miss Sunday with the same thigh injury that kept him from the Barcelona fixture. 

What They're Saying:

TSN reports the Milan midfield took another hit by injury: "AC Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini will be out for up to a month with a right shoulder injury. Ambrosini was injured during Milan's 2-2 draw at Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday."

City manager Roberto Mancini was quick to reduce Napoli's draw to nerves: "We will do better because it is the second game and we will not be so nervous. This game, we were so nervous—all the players. It surprised me. Maybe it was simply desire, or the pressure to play well, but they need to understand how important it is to play simply and that putting seven or eight players forward doesn't work."

Score Prediction: Napoli 1, AC Milan 1

This will be a tight match for 90 minutes. Both clubs will show they belong at the top of Serie A. The Rossoneri are deep enough to get past a rash of injuries, delivering points away from home.