Sacchi previews Milan vs. Napoli: Conte and Allegri ‘will be decisive’ – Football Italia

Arrigo Sacchi during the Women Supercup match between AS Roma and ACF Fiorentina at Dino Manuzzi Stadium on May 24, 2024 in Cesena, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Arrigo Sacchi believes that head coaches Massimiliano Allegri and Antonio Conte will be the protagonists, rather than any of the players, when Milan host Napoli in a top-of-the-table thriller in Serie A on Sunday evening. 

Milan, who have won four games in a row across all competitions, will host Serie A leaders Napoli, who have won all of their first four league matches of the 2025-26 campaign. 

Napoli will extend their lead at the top of the table to four points with a victory in San Siro, while Milan could potentially leapfrog Napoli to the top of the standings if they beat the Partenopei at home. 

Sacchi: ‘Milan look like a different team, Napoli best equipped for the Scudetto’

Though Rafael Leao is back and available for selection, and despite a team sheet that is expected to include the likes of Christian Pulisic, Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay, Sacchi believes that Allegri and Conte are the real key players. 

Writing in his La Gazzetta dello Sport column on Sunday morning, Sacchi explained: “I think the coaches’ roles will be decisive in Milan-Napoli. 

“Let’s start with the Rossoneri: They started the season poorly by losing at home to Cremonese, but Allegri was able to steer the ship back in the right direction and since then, Milan haven’t conceded any more goals. 

“It means that the coach has worked well, and has a clear idea of his style of football in his head. Allegri knows how to motivate a group and knows how to manage a dressing room. Milan, who were fluctuating last season, now look like a different team.” 

Sacchi feels that Allegri’s switch to a 3-5-2 in the early stages of his second Milan spell has been a sensible decision. 

“The decision to line up with a back three has been wise, because there is more protection and because the players he has available makes the formation logical. 

“Rafa Leao will be available now and I don’t know what Allegri will do in terms of his team selection, but the Portuguese has been out for quite a long time and maybe it’s best not to risk him from the start.

“Milan’s best department is in midfield. Modric and Rabiot, when they have the ball at their feet, always know what they have to do. The problem for the Rossoneri could be when Napoli have the ball: I’m curious to see whether they press, or if they will retreat to protect their area, like the typical Italian mentality.” 

Sacchi believes that as things stand, Napoli are the team to beat for the Scudetto this season. 

“Napoli, in my opinion, are the team best equipped to win the Scudetto, and it would be their second consecutive title. Conte did a truly magnificent job last season and is continuing now as well. He has a group that follows him blindly and believes in him.

“This is Napoli’s real strength. Antonio also has no shortage of players capable of breaking down Milan’s defence, from De Bruyne to McTominay, but he focuses on the collective more than the individuals: Napoli are compact, everyone participates in both the attacking and defensive phases, they all help one another. 

“I’m convinced that they will try to take possession and dominate the game against Milan. Napoli like to dribble and play the quick switch, and I think this will be key in the match in San Siro. I expect an open and exciting game.”