How Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne's contrasting debut Serie A seasons face similar nail-biting climaxes ahead of big games for Napoli and AC Milan

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Napoli and AC Milan secured the two biggest moves of last summer's transfer window in Serie A by signing Kevin De Bruyne and Luka Modric - but the midfield greats have had differing experiences in Italy so far.

Highlights: Napoli lose to Lazio as Inter edge closer to title

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The arrival of two of the world’s pre-eminent creative minds to Serie A last summer was widely celebrated in Italy.

Luka Modric’s move to AC Milan and Kevin De Bruyne’s Napoli switch may have come during their twilight years rather than their prime, but there was hope they could show class is permanent.

So it proved for the Croatian Ballon d’Or winner, who settled immediately in Italy at the ripe old age of 40, instantly becoming integral to a Rossoneri side that quickly shot up the standings.

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Man City legend De Bruyne was, if anything, expected to have the bigger impact of the two when he bolstered the ranks of the Italian champions, due to being six years Modric's junior.

But the Belgian has provided moments rather than momentum in a Napoli shirt, with a lengthy injury absence and Antonio Conte’s struggles to work out the best way of fitting him into the team harming his ability to make a Scott McTominay-style splash in Campania quite yet.

While it has in many ways been a contrasting year for the two midfield greats, they have one thing in common; their clubs are wobbling badly as the Serie A season enters the final straight.

Highlights: Politano strikes winner as Napoli leapfrog Milan

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Milan's run of three defeats in their last five games and Napoli's single-point return from their last two outings saw leaders Inter romp into a 12-point lead, leaving their two would-be challengers glancing nervously over their shoulders rather than dreaming of the Scudetto.

The experience of their star midfielders could be vital now more than ever ahead of a huge weekend that sees Napoli host Cremonese on Friday night before Milan welcome Juventus to San Siro on Sunday, with both games live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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Napoli’s title defence has thrown up no end of challenges for Conte in his second season in charge.

A string of injuries to key players, the demands of a disappointing UEFA Champions League campaign where they failed to reach the knockouts and uncertainty over a suitable formation for his squad have perplexed and frustrated the former Chelsea coach.

How to get the best out of De Bruyne has been another head-scratcher. Napoli have switched between 4-1-4-1, 4-3-3, 3-4-3 and 3-4-2-1 systems and, when fit, the Belgian has played as both a central midfielder and number 10.

Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at home to Lazio was terminal for Napoli's already flagging Scudetto hopes and amongst their worst performances of the season as the Partenopei failed to muster a single shot on target.

De Bruyne struggled too and was hooked at half-time, with Gazzetta dello Sport later describing him as a "zombie". Since returning to the pitch from injury in March after a four-and-a-half month layoff, the 34-year-old hasn’t registered a goal or assist in six games.

Overall, in 14 Serie A appearances – 11 of which were from the start - three of De Bruyne's goals were penalties and the other was a free-kick, and he hasn’t provided an assist all season.

‘Unbelievable!’ – De Bruyne appears to pull hamstring after giving Napoli lead from the spot

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There is something to be said about an adaptation period being required – a new club, league, country, coach and language after a decade with City – but it's safe to say more was expected. Much more.

Not that he's letting it get to him. Asked at the start of the month if his wait to score from open play was weighing on him, De Bruyne said: "Absolutely not. I don't put much importance on it. I think I have played well in the past and also since I came back. For me, it's important to provide assists, create chances and have opportunities, and that is what's happening."

Napoli have won 10 of the 14 league games De Bruyne has featured in this season, but a draw with Parma and the Lazio defeat in their last two games ended a five-game winning streak and saw Conte's side drop to third, just three points above Juventus.

Napoli’s eight-point lead over Como in fifth with five games to go means a remarkable collapse would be required to surrender Champions League qualification ahead of their must-win clash with struggling Cremonese on Friday night, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Tumbling down the table is unthinkable to Conte, who described finishing second as being ”first of the losers” ahead of the Lazio clash, but that is now likely going to be as good as it gets.

Highlights: McTominay on target against Parma as Napoli suffer title blow

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Modric 'very happy' - but future remains unclear

Further north in Milan, the mood hasn’t been much brighter – at least on the Rossonero side of town.

A 1-0 Derby della Madonnina win over Inter at the start of March blew the Scudetto race open again, but that now feels a long time ago; since then, Max Allegri’s side have picked up just six points from a possible 15.

However, for all the disappointment at blowing a chance to tussle with their rivals for the title, Allegri’s outspoken objective all season long has been to seal a return to the Champions League after last season’s debacle of finishing out of Europe altogether in eighth.

Achieving that goal is at Milan’s fingertips, but the run-in might get Rossoneri fans of a more nervous persuasion sweating - not least ahead of the visit of a Juventus side that bounces into Sunday night’s San Siro showdown unbeaten in seven games and on a three-match winning run in which they haven’t conceded a goal.

Juve will draw level with Milan on 66 points if they win at San Siro, while Como and Roma – who face Genoa and Bologna respectively – could narrow the gap to five points with victories.

Highlights: Milan claim derby triumph over Inter to keep title hopes alive

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With fixtures against a dangerous Sassuolo side and Europe-chasing Atalanta coming up next, Allegri will be hoping to calm the waters and avoid jitters with a big win to cement second place.

Thankfully, his midfield general knows how to do that better than most. Modric’s experience has been an integral part of the Rossoneri’s return to the upper echelons of the table this season, with the Croatian only missing one league game for his new club.

Despite his 41st birthday approaching at the start of next season, Modric has been the heartbeat of this Milan team thanks to his calming presence, positional understanding, game management and quality in possession.

Not many would have bet on the deep-lying playmaker having more Serie A goal involvements (two goals, three assists) than De Bruyne (four goals, no assists) by this stage of the season, either.

"Modric makes you follow him with his actions more than his words," explained team-mate Davide Bartesaghi recently.

Watch: 'Midfield maestro' Modric slams Milan into lead with beautiful finish

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His future is yet to be decided, with the option of a one-year extension still being considered by all parties.

"I've spoken with Luka, and he is very happy in Milan," former Rossoneri and Croatia defender Dario Simic told DAZN on Sunday. "He told me that he hasn't decided yet if he will stay for another year or not, but I know he's looking for a flat. He is super happy, but I don't know his family situation."

Modric clearly doesn't represent the long-term future for a squad featuring only three other outfield players over the age of 30 (Niclas Fullkrug, Adrien Rabiot and Ruben Loftus-Cheek), but he is essential in the here and now as they look to lock out a top-four spot that would put them back among the European elite for next season - and potentially convince their ageing Croatian superstar to stick around.

Live Serie A on TNT Sports and HBO Max this weekend

Friday, April 24, 19:45: Napoli v Cremonese
Sunday, April 26, 19:45: AC Milan v Juventus

Stream the Premier League, Men’s and Women’s FA Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more on TNT Sports and HBO Max

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