AC Milan vs Napoli - 5 key battles to watch out for | Serie A 2021-22

#3 Theo Hernandez (AC Milan) vs Mario Rui (Napoli)

Hernandez has made the most assists in the Milan squad this season.

Mario Rui offers excellent width and attacking presence for Napoli. However, he'll have to be wary of AC Milan defender Theo Hernandez's presence down the same flank.

The Frenchman has blossomed into a world-class prospect since joining Milan in 2019, bringing a new dimension to the side's attack with his flair and creativity.

This season, he has assisted five times in the league, the most in Milan's squad, while also bagging a goal. Rui will have to keep an eye on Hernandez's forward sprints, as the Milan man is key to stretching opposition defences open.

---

#2 Dries Mertens (Napoli) vs Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan)

SSC Napoli vw SS Lazio - Serie A

Napoli are missing three attackers - Victor Osimhen, Lorenzo Insigne and Fabian Ruiz - through injury. However, luckily for them, Dries Mertens is available, and will be looked upon to score against Milan.

The Belgian has struck five times in the league so far. In the absence of some of his attacking cohorts, he will look to bag a few more and make a case for himself. However, Fikayo Tomori could prove to be a stumbling block in his endeavours, as the former Chelsea man has been rock-solid at the back for Milan this season.

Averaging 2.3 tackles and 3.1 clearances per game in the league, the Englishman is positionally aware, strong on the ball and times his challenges to perfection. He's also a valuable aerial threat from set-pieces, as demonstrated by his goal against Liverpool in the Champions League.

---

#1 Zlatan Ibrahimovic (AC Milan) vs Amir Rrahmani (Napoli)

AC Milan vs Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Ante Rebic is still out injured, while Olivier Giroud will likely to start on the bench, having only returned from a lengthy injury lay-off. So the goalscoring burden for Milan could once again be on the broad shoulders of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The ageless striker shows no signs of slowing down, even at 40. He has netted seven goals in the league this season, the most in the Milan squad.

It shows how reliable and consistent he remains at this age, something which could put many younger players to shame. His acrobatic goal against Udinese demonstrated his timeless athleticism.

SSC Napoli's Amir Rrahmani can expect a busy outing against the towering Swede, and he'll have to muster his A-game to stop Ibrahimovic. The Kosovo international has grown in influence with Napoli this season, starting every game since matchday four, and also scoring twice.

He is mainly known for accurate passes, completing 92.1% in the league, but also loves to tackle and make vital blocks.