AC MILAN BEATEN IN SUPERCOPPA SEMI‑FINAL
Supercoppa Italiana
AC Milan fell to defeat in their Supercoppa Italiana semi-final against Napoli, who ran out 2-0 winners in Riyadh. The match was tight for long periods before Napoli broke the deadlock through Neres, with Højlund later adding a second to seal the win. The Danish striker was a constant menace, using his physical strength and sharp reactions to decisive effect for both goals. Massimiliano Allegri’s Rossoneri, coming off a draw with Sassuolo in Serie A, were unable to find the spark needed to break down the Partenopei’s well-organised defence.
Antonio Conte’s side repeatedly caused problems on the counter, while AC Milan lacked both precision and bite in the few openings they fashioned. Napoli made better use of key moments and were more effective in transition, with the Rossoneri often caught out by direct balls in behind. Focus now shifts back to the league, with the Rossoneri needing to protect their place near the top of the table and respond on Sunday 28 December against Hellas Verona at San Siro. The hope is the team can use tonight’s disappointment as fuel for the upcoming clash and pick up a vital three points.
CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM NAPOLI v AC MILAN
MATCH DETAILS
A tense start in Riyadh but neither team managed to take the lead. After just two minutes, Neres played in Elmas at the edge of the box, but his quick right-footed shot was weak and Maignan gathered it comfortably. In the 5th minute, the Rossoneri had their first chance: a long throw-in by Estupiñán, Rabiot flicked it on with his head, Pavlović’s overhead kick turned into what looked like it was going to be an assist for Loftus-Cheek, but Milinković-Savić saved with his foot. In the 37th minute, Pulisic played the ball out to Saelemaekers following a Napoli corner, with the moving then turning into a four vs two situation. The Belgian international laid off Nkunku but his shot went over. Goal missed, goal conceded: in the 39th minute, Højlund shielded the ball away from De Winter, turned and crossed. His cross reached Neres who was there to prod it home. Højlund tried his luck in the 46th minute but Maignan saved his effort.
AC Milan couldn't turn the tempo up and Napoli caused problems. In the 54th minute, Politano ran down the run and played in Neres: the ball then went across to McTominay who laid it off for Rrahmani whose effort was saved by Maignan. Napoli pushed again in the 64th minute and struck the decisive blow: Højlund attacked and won the physical battle against De Winter to produce a blistering shot into the bottom corner past Maignan. 2-0. The game opened up and Napoli found space to counter: in the 87th minute, Lucca played in Neres who provided for McTominay, but his shot went over the bar. Seven minutes of stoppage time passed and our Supercoppa Italiana campaign came to an end.
NAPOLI 2-0 AC MILAN
NAPOLI (3-4-3): Milinković-Savić; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Juan Jesus; Politano (78' Mazzocchi), Lobotka, McTominay, Spinazzola (81' Gutiérrez); David Neres (88' Vergara), Højlund (81' Lucca), Elmas (77' Lang). Subs: Contini, Ferrante; Beukema, Buongiorno, Marianucci, Olivera; Baridó, De Chiara; Ambrosino, Lukaku. Coach: Conte.
AC MILAN (3-5-2): Maignan; Tomori, De Winter (69' Athekame), Pavlović; Saelemaekers (69' Fofana), Loftus-Cheek, Jashari (75' Modrić), Rabiot, Estupiñan; Nkunku, Pulisic. Subs: Terracciano, Torriani; Bartesaghi, Duțu, Odogu; M. Ibrahimović, Ricci, Sala; Borsani. Coach: Allegri.
Referee: Zufferli from Udine.
Goals: 39' Neres (N), 64' Højlund.
Booked: 38' Rabiot (M), 81' Spinazzola (N), 83' McTominay (N), 83' Tomori (M).
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