In-depth Analysis
After a highly disappointing start to 2026, Napoli have managed to rediscover their familiar form just before the international break. The southern Italian side are currently on a four-match winning streak in Serie A, a run they had not achieved since September 2025. Clearly, after the shock of being eliminated from the Champions League and almost certainly failing to defend their Serie A title, Antonio Conte’s men are gradually regaining stability at a crucial stage of the season.
In their most recent outing, a narrow 1-0 victory over Cagliari not only earned them three valuable points but also ended an 11-match run without a clean sheet — something quite unusual for a team managed by Conte. That result also helped Napoli reduce the gap to league leaders Inter to seven points. Although their chances of winning the Scudetto remain slim, Napoli are certainly not ready to give up. A victory over AC Milan is a must if they want to keep their hopes alive in the title race, while also overtaking their direct rivals in the standings.
Napoli’s biggest advantage ahead of this blockbuster clash is their home ground, the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. Conte’s side are still unbeaten at home in Serie A this season, extending a home unbeaten run that dates back to December 2024. From 14 home league matches so far, Napoli have won 10, with only Inter collecting more points on home soil. Clearly, this is a significant boost for the hosts heading into Monday night’s crucial showdown.
However, AC Milan will be far from an easy opponent. The Rossoneri have lost just once in their last six visits to Naples, and their most memorable result there was the emphatic 4-0 win in April 2023 — Napoli’s heaviest home defeat in Serie A in the last 25 years. In addition, the red-and-black side have been in solid form recently, winning three of their last four matches and sitting just six points behind the top spot. With that momentum, AC Milan have every reason to approach this away trip with confidence.