AC Milan and Napoli are separated by one point in the table going into their Easter Monday clash, but they arrived there via contrasting styles.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) report, the numbers speak for themselves. They don’t tell the whole story, but they do suggest something. In relation to Napoli and Milan, they paint a picture of the two teams’ different set-ups.
The teams compared
An example? Massimiliano Allegri likes to defend in a low block (an average line height of 50.5 metres, formation compacted within 31.3 metres, defensive line at 24 metres, ball-winning pressure in the first third of the pitch at 33.8 metres).
Antonio Conte is more hybrid (average line at 51.5m, formation compacted within 32.2m, defensive line at 28.7m, ball-winning pressure at 37.1m). Yet, Milan are quicker at changing positions and playing towards the opponent’s goal than Napoli (13.7 per game versus 13), despite paradoxically hitting the target less often (4.6 versus 4.8).
Speaking of paradoxes, the Rossoneri’s ability to unlock matches with their first shot on target has often been written about, but in reality, the Expected Goals – which measures the expectation of goals scored based on the danger of the chances created – reveals a much more cynical Conte than Max.
In Serie A, Milan have scored 47 goals, but the expectation was over 55. Napoli, on the other hand, have scored 46 goals with an xG of 46.5, essentially in line with the chances created.
The individuals
In football the quality of the players makes a difference. Take Mike Maignan, who in 29 games has made an impressive 81 saves, saving 81.1% of shots (best in Serie A). This is much higher than the Italian team of Milinkovic-Meret, 56 between them.
If you think that Milan concede much more than Napoli, perhaps you’re exaggerating: the Rossoneri average 11.2 shots per game, the Italian champions 10.6. Conte can count on a striker already in double figures (Hojlund 10 goals) and a Top 10 assist provider in Serie A (Politano, five).
Allegri is limited to Leao’s nine goals and Rabiot’s four assists. Antonio, however, can also attack with the midfielders and one in particular, Scott McTominay: the Scotsman has an average of 2.9 shots per game, first in his position.
Milan compensate for that with the class of Luka Modric: the Croatian champion is in the Top 10 in the league for interceptions (38), passes (1933, only Juventus’ Locatelli has more), and free kicks that have reached a team-mate (91, first). Although Napoli’s playmaker, Stanislav Lobotka, is first among midfielders for passing accuracy (over 92%).
Finally, some other data. Napoli have more possession (58.3% versus 52.5%), but are less precise in its management (86.3% pass completion versus 87.7%). Milan are the team that is most often found offside in Serie A (more than twice per game, Napoli 1.13), but the one that commits the fewest fouls (10 per game, Napoli 12).
