AC MILAN LOSE 2-1 TO NAPOLI AT SAN SIRO

Stefano Pioli's AC Milan slumped to their first defeat of the season as the Rossoneri lost 2-1 at San Siro to Napoli, who were more clinical in taking their few goalscoring opportunities. It was an undeserved defeat for the Rossoneri, who, in addition to Giroud's goal, put in an adventurous and positive performance, even hitting the crossbar twice through our number 9 in the first half and Kalulu late on. Meret certainly also frustrated the hosts with a raft of brilliant saves.

In the last game before the international break, the Diavolo was made to take a defeat that, however, shouldn't get be too much cause for concern. The Rossoneri went into the matchweek top of the table and played well, implementing their style of play. We also saw a continuation in the good form of Olivier Giroud, who scored in his third consecutive league game for the first time in his Milan career. It'll be October by the time we get back from the break and we have a packed fixture list to look forward to. Our next league game: Empoli away on Saturday 1 October. Forza ragazzi.

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v NAPOLI

MATCH REPORT

Pioli replaced the suspended Leão with Krunić, and placing Kjær into the centre of defence. The Rossoneri had lots of early possession against a compact and solid Napoli defence. After seven minutes, Giroud’s attempt went wide, before Hernández sent in a good low cross from the left but nobody was there to get the decisive touch. AC Milan continued to threaten and after twelve minutes Tonali’s cross for Giroud was headed high over the bar. One minute later, Oli again had the best chance of the opening 15 minutes with a left-footed strike that Meret superbly tipped onto the bar to go out for a corner. It was all AC Milan and another nice play after 25 minutes saw Giroud attempt a scorpion kick from a De Ketelaere cross, but it went over again. A few minutes later, Krunić went close with a header from a corner, but Meret was there again to keep it out. Maignan reacted well after Politano’s attempt from a tight angle, with Napoli having the final chance of the half through Kvaratskhelia’s little flick but Anguissa just couldn’t get on the end of it in time.

At half-time, there were two changes made with Kalulu and Dest coming on. On 53 minutes, the first turning point of the game came with a foul made by the American fulll-back on Kvaratskhelia inside the area. After a VAR check, it was Politano who stepped up to the penalty spot to give the Napoli the lead; Maignan guessed the right way but was unable to keep it out. The Rossoneri’s reaction was immediate. First, on 57 minutes, a Hernández header was blocked by Di Lorenzo’s back; then, on 62 minutes, Giroud set up Saelemaekers whose shot was stopped by the Napoli defence. On came Díaz and Messias, and it was Junior who came ever so close soon after with a right-footed strike that was saved by Meret. But the Rossoneri’s efforts were soon awarded on 69 minutes with a great run down the left by Hernandez who picked out Giroud in the box to fire home and make it 1-1. Oli was close to doubling the lead with a lovely left-footed attempt from the edge of the box, but on 78 minutes, it was Napoli who went ahead with Simeone heading home. Adli was put on for one final push and with four minutes remaining Kalulu had an unbelievable chance to level, hitting the bar with the keeper beaten. In injury time, Diaz had a header that was once again blocked by the Partenopei defence and that was the end of action, finishing 2-1 to the away side.

MATCH DETAILS

AC MILAN 1-2 NAPOLI

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (46' Dest), Kjær (46' Kalulu), Tomori, Hernández; Bennacer, Tonali; Saelemaekers (66' Messias), De Ketelaere (82' Adli), Krunić (66' Díaz); Giroud. Subs.: Mirante, Tătărușanu; Ballo-Touré, Gabbia, Thiaw; Bakayoko, Pobega, Vranckx; Lazetić. Coach: Pioli.

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mário Rui (91' Olivera); Anguissa, Lobotka, Zieliński (87' Elmas); Politano (66' Zerbin), Raspadori (66' Simeone), Kvaratskhelia (87' Ndombele). Subs.: Marfella, Sirigu; Juan Jesus, Østigård, Zanoli; Gaetano; Lozano. Coach: Spalletti (suspended, Domenichini in the dug out).

Referee: Mariani from Aprilia.
Goals: 55' pen. Politano (N), 69' Giroud (M), 78' Simeone (N),
Booked: 18' Kjær (M), 45' Calabria (M), 53' Krunić (M), 63' Rrahmani (N), 70' Simeone (N), 74' Tomori (M), 88' Zerbin (N).

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