AC MILAN V NAPOLI: TIME MACHINE

AC Milan v Napoli is synonymous with tradition, passion and emotion. Two hot cities and two sets of loud fans, who over the years have provided the backdrop for historic and unforgettable matches. The seventh week of Serie A once again puts the Rossoneri up against the Azzurri, currently paired at the top with 14 points. In anticipation of a new game for all to see, let's remember five previous ones with our Time Machine:

3 MARCH 1985: BATTISTINI-INCORVAIA TOP MARADONA
At San Siro, it is the day of the first match between Baresi's AC Milan and Diego Armando Maradona's Napoli. Spurred on by the intensity of their support, the Rossoneri showed no fear and, deservedly, won the game. Battistini's header in the first half, together with Incocciati venomous left-footed strike in the second, made Maradona's momentary 1-1 equaliser from the spot redundant, with Wilkins' decisive deflection. The 2-1 win meant three important points for AC Milan, San Siro has also proved to be an often bitter ground for the Argentine 10. 

3 JANUARY 1988: ROSSONERI POKER AGAINST DEFENDING CHAMPIONS
In the 13th matchday of Serie A, Napoli came to San Siro as leaders and reigning champions of Italy. Careca surprised the Rossoneri early on, but AC Milan reacted with conviction, taking the lead before half-time with a one-two from Colombo and Virdis between the 19th and 24th minutes. The goalposts stopped Gullit and Galli's attempts, but the Rossoneri widened the gap in the second half with goals from Gullit and Donadoni. Sacchi's Milan therefore took the first leg with a demonstration of strength and character that would lead, at the end of the year, to Scudetto number 11, overturning most of the predictions of the time and won against the Neapolitans.

5 JANUARY 1992: THE MILAN SHOW, 4D CHESS
Maldini's strike and the match immediately unravelled. Milan, led by Capello and marshalled by the three Dutchmen, crushed Napoli at San Siro. Less than a minute was all it took for the Rossoneri to open the scoring: Maldini was unmarked from a corner and played Galli through. Napoli hinted at a comeback but Milan silenced the threat: Rijkaard in the 27th minute and Massaro in the 40th minute snuffed out the visitors' hopes of a comeback. Donadoni and van Basten joined the Rossoneri show in the second half, stamping a clear victory, in the season of unbeaten league titles and the birth of the legend of the 'Invincibles', which ended with the 12th Scudetto.

28 FEBRUARY 2011: THREE GOALS TOWARDS THE SCUDETTO
Ibra, Boateng and Pato: three goals and three golden points towards the title. The Diavolo played their first real clash of the 2010/11 season at the San Siro, hosting Mazzarri's fearsome Napoli with a two-point advantage over their rivals. After a confusing and deadlocked first half, the Rossoneri unblocked the game early in the second half with Ibrahimović's penalty, and then closed the game with goals from Boateng and Pato. It was a 3-0 win that sent a clear message to the Scudetto rivals - Inter and Napoli - and ignited the Rossoneri's first breakaway at the top of the table.

14 DECEMBER 2014: JÉRÉMY AND JACK TOPPLE THE AZZURRI
A beautiful victory in an underwhelming season. The 2-0 win at the San Siro was a gleam of light in a year with two sides. Between prestigious victories and unexpected losses, the Rossoneri led by Inzaghi took away several positives, despite finishing the tournament in seventh place. Among the positive notes of the year were the performances against the big teams and the growth of some individuals, factors that came together in the victory over the Azzurri. Jérémy Ménez and Jack Bonaventura scored the goals that defeated the partenopei in the 2-0 final in December 2014.

Tickets are available for Milan-Napoli and Milan-Chelsea: See you at San Siro!