NAPOLI SEEN OFF AT SAN SIRO
Serie A
A goal from Theo Hernández from a Rafa Leão assist was enough to decide AC Milan’s 24th fixture of the Serie A season. At San Siro, the Rossoneri, who took to the pitch wearing the dark version of the new Fourth kit, ran out 1-0 winners over Napoli thanks to a solid and mature display. Coach Pioli’s side struck at just the right moment before coming close on several occasions. Although they weren’t quite able to score a second goal, it’s the three points that count, with the team displaying real focus and spirit to come away with the spoils.
In doing so, the Rossoneri have broken their home hoodoo against Napoli in the league - AC Milan had last beaten the Partenopei at San Siro in 2014 - and extended their unbeaten run. Coach Pioli, who drew level with Arrigo Sacchi by taking charge of his 220th Rossoneri match, and his players certainly have many things to be happy about, including tonight’s clean sheet. It’s a great result that sees AC Milan move up to 52 points in the league and provides a further boost ahead of the coming fixtures. Attentions will now turn to Europe: at 21:00 CET on Thursday 15 February, our adventure in the Europa League will begin with a home match against Rennes. Keep pushing, lads!
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM AC MILAN v NAPOLI
MATCH REPORT
The match started in an intense manner, and it was Napoli who created the first big opportunity: Kvaratskhelia sent in a low cross for Simeone, who failed to convert from close range (10’). With plenty of numbers in the middle of the park, the teams were increasingly cancelling each other out as the minutes ticked by. But then AC Milan struck: Leão picked out Theo Hernández with a lovely through ball, and the Frenchman did the rest, beating Gollini at his near post (25’). 1-0 to us. The Rossoneri suddenly had the wind in their sails as Leão called the goalkeeper into action with a curling right-footed effort from the edge of the box (28’). Pioli’s men were keeping the ball well and took a lead into half-time.
The two sides sought to attack each other after the restart. A deflected Florenzi strike almost surprised Gollini (47’), while Simeone once again failed to hit the target (54’). In between these efforts, attempts from Bennacer and Politano lacked precision. Politano was again involved on the hour mark, skimming the post with a left-footed strike. Gabbia, who beat Raspadori to the ball (67’), and Maignan, who comfortably thwarted Kvaratskhelia (68’), stopped the visitors drawing level. In the 70th minute, Leão wasn’t quite able to finish off an excellent counter-attack. Napoli came inches away on the 89-minute mark, with Simić almost scoring an own goal as he diverted a Lindstrøm cross onto the post. It was the Partenopei’s last chance as AC Milan claimed a 1-0 victory!
MATCH DETAILS
AC MILAN 1-0 NAPOLI
AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria (37' Florenzi), Kjær (65' Simić), Gabbia, Hernández; Bennacer (65' Musah), Adli; Pulisic (80' Jiménez), Loftus-Cheek, Leão; Giroud (80' Jović). Subs: Mirante, Sportiello; Terracciano; Victor; Okafor. Coach: Pioli.
NAPOLI (3-5-1-1): Gollini; Østigård (46' Politano), Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (89' Ngonge); Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, Zieliński (76' Lindstrøm), Mazzocchi (76' Olivera); Kvaratskhelia; Simeone (55' Raspadori). Subs: Contini; Natan; Cajuste, Dendoncker, Traorè. Coach: Mazzarri.
Referee: Doveri from Roma 1.
Goal: 25' Hernández (M).
Booked: 85' Juan Jesus (N), 90'+6 Hernández (M).
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