Ammon News - Luka Modric and Kevin De Bruyne have grown accustomed to facing each other in the Champions League. On Sunday at the San Siro, the two midfield standouts will have their first meeting in Serie A since their recent moves to Italy.

When Modric’s AC Milan hosts De Bruyne’s Napoli, it will also be a showdown between two of the Italian league’s best performing teams.

At age 40, Modric has helped transform Milan into a potential title challenger. De Bruyne, who is 34, has helped defending champion Napoli remain the team to beat.

Napoli will be looking to extend its perfect start, while Milan will be aiming for its fifth straight win across all competitions.

Modric’s move to Milan came after 13 seasons at Real Madrid. De Bruyne spent a decade at Manchester City.

For club and country Modric and De Bruyne have met 13 times, with De Bruyne’s teams winning five, Modric’s teams winning four, and four draws.

Both players have made an immediate impact in Serie A.

Modric scored in Milan’s 1-0 win over Bologna, provided an assist in a victory over Lecce and has played 335 minutes in four Serie A matches — twice appearing from start to finish.

“He always knows before anyone else where the ball is going to end up,” Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri said.

De Bruyne has scored twice in four Serie A games and seamlessly joined a stellar Napoli midfield featuring Scott McTominay, Stanislav Lobotka and Frank Anguissa. He has also provided key leadership for the southern club’s return to the Champions League.

“He has humbly immersed himself in our club. We needed someone like him,” Napoli coach Antonio Conte said.

AP