He returned from the Africa Cup of Nations a week ago but only joined Frosinone during the match. On Sunday evening Bennacer will relaunch from the 1st minute (thanks to Reijnders’ disqualification): it was he who scored the last home victory against Napoli, the second success at San Siro in the last nine years
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Two victories in nine years, the last one signed by Ismael Bennacer, the man with the keys to midfield who will return to the starting lineup for the first time since December. Nothing strange, given that the Algerian’s prolonged absence was simply due to his commitment to the Africa Cup of Nations. Bennacer had already returned to Italy last week and, against Frosinone, he had already taken to the pitch in the second half. He will return in the big Milan-Napoli match on Sunday evening, thanks (but not only) to Reijnders’ disqualification.
The Naples taboo at San Siro
Given the Dutchman’s forced stop, Bennacer’s candidacy would still have been strong. Even more so for his signature on the last home victory with Napoli: it was April 2023 and it was the Champions League; quarter-final first leg, 1-0 scored by Bennacer. Just Milan’s second victory within friendly walls against Napoli in nine years. The previous one, however, not in the championship, given that we are talking about the 2-0 (with Piatek’s debut show from the 1st minute) in the Italian Cup in 2019. In Serie A the Rossoneri haven’t won at home for ten years (2014-15, with Inzaghi as coach).
DREAM TEAM
Kaká’s top 11: lots of Milan, but no Messi
World champion in 2002 and Ballon d’Or winner in 2007, the former Rossoneri player revealed his ideal eleven made up of teammates and opponents faced on the pitch. There is a lot of Milan in the choices and a trident of almost namesakes, where the illustrious absentee is Leo Messi. Here is Kaká’s dream lineup SUBSCRIBE TO THE SKY SPORT WHATSAPP CHANNEL
Central defender: ALESSANDRO NESTA
How are Thiaw, Tomori and Kalulu
The injury point: always better Thiawwho could be available a few days early, but not before Milan-Rennes next Thursday. Tomori and Kalulu also did well, whose return is instead scheduled for the end of February. For now, head to the big match, to continue the positive trend: starting from mid-December 2023, Milan has earned 2.5 points on average in Serie A (in eight matches, six wins and two draws), only Inter (2.7) has recorded a higher average points in the period. Also thanks to the contribution of the bench, given that Pioli’s is the team that has scored the most goals with substitute players in this championship (10); in the last 20 Serie A seasons (since 2004-05), only twice have the Rossoneri scored more goals with players entering the match in progress in an entire championship: 12 in 2010-11 and 11 in 2011-12.