Stefano Pioli believes ‘quality’ is the key in this title clash between Milan and Napoli, while assuring the surprise Luciano Spalletti pick at San Siro will not change his tactics.
It kicks off at 19.45 GMT, you can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
These teams were joint leaders for much of the campaign, but Inter have now surged in front and a Milan defeat would automatically crown their city cousins the Serie A Winter Champions.
“It’s a top of the table clash, but just as it wasn’t worth the Scudetto a month ago, it’s not going to be decisive now either. There’s a long way to go and we want to do well,” Pioli told DAZN.
Junior Messias took a very long time to settle in with the Rossoneri after his transfer from Crotone, but has really started to make the difference now and starts again this evening.
“Quality is always the key in every game, especially when the level is raised. Junior has the quality to have that moment of magic, create something and put some interesting balls into the box.”
Napoli coach Spalletti surprised everyone this evening by starting Andrea Petagna rather than Dries Mertens, so will that force a reshuffle at San Siro for Pioli too?
“I don’t know why Spalletti made this decision, we won’t change our defensive tactics. We have the same general approach and it makes no difference, but we do have the utmost respect for the attacking capabilities of our opponents.”