TIME MACHINE: AC MILAN v NAPOLI

Big clashes are often decided by the small details. Whenever AC Milan and Napoli faced each other in the past years, the matches were usually balanced and decided by a small act. As we wait to see if Matchday 10 of the Serie A will bring us this kind of drama, let the Time Machine take you back to November 2008, when a goal at the end of the match decided the game. 

This match between AC Milan and Napoli mattered a lot in terms of the standings: thanks to Udinese's tumble, the winner of the game at San Siro was guaranteed a sole lead after Matchday 10 of the 2008/09 season. Carlo Ancelotti opted for the usual 'Christmas-tree' formation, with the Ronaldinho-Kaká duo supporting sole striker Borriello and an unusual pairing of centre-backs Favalli-Bonera in front of Abbiati. The guests responded with a 3-5-2, led by Germán Denis, who scored a hat-trick in the previous round. The start was balanced, with Borriello and Kaká standing out amongst the hosts, and Lavezzi amongst the guests. After a few chances that did not challenge the goalkeepers too much, the first shock came in the 44th minute, when Maggio's foul on Jankulovski earned him the second yellow card, constraining Napoli to playing with one man less for the rest of the game. 

The second half, with AC Milan playing with an extra man, unfolded differently: The Rossoneri were constantly attacking, while the Azzurri were more concerned with defending. Ronaldinho started the move, forcing Iezzo into a fine save, and Seedorf followed with a fierce right-footer from outside the box that flew just wide. In the minutes that followed, Kaká also struck the inside of the post, following a header from the newly substituted Pato that went just wide. In the 80th minute, another Kaká creation resulted in a cross by Ricky being palmed away by Pazienza. The Rossoneri no. 22, however, was hypnotised by Iezzo from inside the area. Just when the game seemed destined to end 0-0, the goal for AC Milan finally arrived. Ronaldinho's free-kick from a short corner was deflected slightly by Denis, and the Rossoneri's lead remained intact in the final minutes as AC Milan climbed to the top of the table.

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