Milan-Naples, like a taste of the African Cup
Opposed this Sunday evening in the shock of the 18th day of Serie A, Milan and Naples may tremble, a few weeks before the start of the African Cup of Nations, organized from January 9 to February 6 in Cameroon.
In Naples, the recent and combined injuries of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, powerful Senegalese defender Kalidou Koulibaly and precious Cameroonian midfielder André Zambo Anguissa had an immediate impact on the performance of the team, spent in less than three weeks of the 1st in 4th place.
Since the start of the season, these three formed a backbone on which Luciano Spalletti was able to rebuild a solid Napoli, best defense in Serie A and carried by Osimhen in front (9 goals in 14 matches, in all competitions).
Kalidou Koulibaly also marked the start of the season by speaking out against the racist slurs he suffered in Florence in October. With the strong support of the captain of the Italian team Giorgio Chiellini: “I was ashamed (insults, editor’s note), as an Italian and as a Tuscan. “
In Milan, the Ivorian Franck Kessié and the Algerian Ismaël Bennacer are also essential elements in the middle of the team rebuilt for two years by Stefano Pioli, vice-champion last season and currently second.
Anguissa’s “dream”
Kessié imposes his authority in the game and his composure on penalties (Ibrahimovic left him the role of shooter last year after several misfires). Bennacer is showing his commitment and his technique, although he is less prominent this season.
The performances of the two players are often a good thermometer of the Rossoneri’s state of form, dependent on their quality in recovery and recovery, even if Sandro Tonali has grown up as well in recent months.
From January 9 (and until February 6 for the finalists), it is their national selections that will benefit from the impact of these key Serie A players, during the African Cup of Nations in Cameroon. .
Anguissa has been waiting for this meeting for a long time: “it’s a cup that I dream of lifting in front of my parents, in front of my country and all Cameroonians (…). I know that we have a good team and the qualities to go for this trophy ”, confided in March the ex-player of Marseille and Fulham.
Up to thirty players playing in Italy could contest the CAN.
But Naples, also with Algerian attacking midfielder Adam Ounas, and Milan, with a possible summons from Senegalese side Fodé Ballo-Touré, are the clubs that may be the most weakened by the departure of African internationals.
Osimhen package
If Anguissa, just recovered (thigh), and Koulibaly, still unavailable for two weeks (thigh), should compete in the CAN, Osimhen remains forfeited.
Napoli announced on November 23 an unavailability of three months for the former Lille, triggered for multiple fractures to the face. But his return to training on December 8 (outside the squad) has revived some hopes in Nigeria.
The Neapolitan coach Spalletti ensures for his part not “to be worried” for January, unless the injuries have had to multiply in a workforce that has not been spared.
On the side of Milan, it is not impossible that the club take advantage of the winter transfer window to try to compensate for the temporary absence of Kessié and Bennacer. Either by recruiting a midfielder, or, according to some media, by trying to bring in Bordeaux midfielder Yacine Adli in January, a player that Milan bought last summer and left the Girondins on loan for a season.
A chosen one is sure: the two clubs will impatiently watch for the return in February of their African stars. Which could, before returning to Serie A, have to respect ten days of quarantine, under the rules in force in Italy.