ROSSONERI DEFEATED AT THE MARADONA
Serie A
A significant defeat. AC Milan lost 1-0 away at Napoli, conceding a late equaliser and paying dearly for a lapse in concentration for Politano's winner. The big game at the Maradona was far from thrilling; the prize up for grabs was too important, and both sides looked more worried about keeping things tight. It seemed destined to end in a draw, but the result was decided in an instant. The Rossoneri were better in the first half than in the second, and they didn't play poorly, despite not hitting their usual heights. There was commitment, the odd spurned chance, and then the heartwrenching finale. It wasn't what we wanted in such an important fixture after the break.
It's the second away defeat in a row, after losing to Lazio in Rome, and the Rossoneri failed to score in both of those matches. Serie A matchday 31 sees the Diavolo remain on 63 points, as they slipped back to third position in the table, having been overtaken by Napoli (-2) and dropping further behind the leaders (-9). This is a result that requires an immediate reaction, without losing sight of the wider goal: Champions League qualification, which is in the hands of Allegri's side but still in doubt due to the stiff competition. Next weekend, AC Milan host Udinese at San Siro at 18:00 CEST on Saturday 11 April.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM NAPOLI v AC MILAN
MATCH REPORT
AC Milan looked diligent early on. In the sixth minute, Nkunku laid it off for Fofana, whose effort was saved by Milinković-Savić. Our first real chance came in the 13th minute, as Bartesaghi swung in a free-kick towards Pavlović, who sent his header just wide. Five minutes later, it was Pavlović again bombing on, though he failed to find the breakthrough. Napoli threatened in the 23rd minute, when Spinazzola skipped past Fofana and sent his curling effort sailing just off target. Two counterattacks produced chances at either end: first, Fofana played Nkunku in, but Christo fired high; in the 36th minute, Giovane received the ball and was denied thanks to a brilliant bit of defending by Pavlović. In the 45th minute, McTominay attempted an overhead kick, to no avail.
Napoli were the more active of the two sides after the break. After Nkunku failed to connect in their box, Giovane beat Pavlović and let fly, forcing Maignan into a good save (51'). In the 57th minute, Spinazzola's cross was met by Anguissa, but his effort was wayward. The Rossoneri dropped deeper, though they did have a chance in the 66th minute through Athekame. In the 72nd minute, Maignan denied Anguissa. The game livened up, thanks in part to the changes, but there was still very little attacking threat. The goal did come, however, and it was Politano who put it past Maignan to make it 1-0. The Rossoneri went in search of an equaliser, but an attempted Gimenez header (86') and Leão in the 90th minute didn't cause the defence any real worries.
MATCH DETAILS
NAPOLI 1-0 AC MILAN
NAPOLI (3-4-2-1): Milinković-Savić; Juan Jesus (85' Beukema), Buongiorno, Olivera; Gutiérrez, Lobotka, Anguissa, Spinazzola (74' Politano); De Bruyne (85' Elmas), McTominay; Giovane (70' Alisson). Subs: Contini, Meret; Mazzocchi; Gilmour. Coach: Conte.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori (72' Loftus-Cheek), De Winter, Pavlović; Saelemaekers (62' Athekame), Fofana (73' Leão), Modrić, Rabiot, Bartesaghi; Nkunku (74' Pulisic), Füllkrug (62' Gimenez). Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Estupiñan, Odogu; Jashari, Ricci. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Doveri from Roma 1.
Goals: 79' Politano (N).
Booked: 12' Buongiorno (N), 81' Politano (N).
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