AC Milan ended their home league hoodoo against Napoli by beating them 1-0 at San Siro on Sunday night to consolidate third place further.
The only goal of the game came in the first half and it was that familiar pairing of Theo Hernandez and Rafael Leao who linked up, with the latter setting up the former and a tidy finish following.
In truth both sides missed big chances to either pad their lead or draw level, and Milan had the post the thank when a cross was diverted onto the woodwork by substitute Jan-Carlo Simic.
The Rossoneri held on for a big three points – the first in Serie A at San Siro against Napoli since 2014 – and as a result the gap between the teams is now 17 points.
Stefano Pioli was forced to make a change to the starting line-up due to Tijjani Reijnders’ suspension, and the choice was made to put Ismael Bennacer next to Yacine Adli in the double pivot.
There was a rather strange moment early in the game when Pioli complained to the fourth official about Ruben Loftus-Cheek not allowed back on the field, because the referee requested he changed his sock tape from white to black.
Napoli had the first big chance of the game after 10 minutes as Kvaratskhelia caused problems from a central area, darting to the right side of the box and cutting a ball back to Simeone who fired over at the near post having got the better of Simon Kjaer.
The opening exchanges of the game were very scrappy as neither side managed to establish a foothold and assert dominance, with misplaced passes and niggling fouls more prevalent than any real quality or flow.
In the 25th minute, Milan took the lead with what was their first clear opportunity of the game. Rafael Leao received possession down the left side from Theo Hernandez who continued a bombing run into the box and the winger picked him out perfectly. Theo took a touch and slotted it under the onrushing Gollini to make it 1-0.
Leao wasn’t far away from getting his own name on the scoreboard when he cut in off the left flank and unleashed a curling right-footed shot that was about to sneak inside the far corner but for Gollini’s full stretch save.
Not long after Matteo Gabbia drew a save from Gollini after hitting a clearance first time back towards goal, Davide Calabria was forced off with a groin problem and was replaced by Alessandro Florenzi.
Milan were very close to doubling their advantage just a couple of minutes into the second half. Yacine Adli found Florenzi with a nice pass and the full-back’s shot deflected to wrong-foot Gollini, who just about claimed the ball with Giroud loitering ready to hammer in any rebound.
That was followed a couple of minutes later by penalty appeals as Milan won the ball back deep in Napoli’s half and Leao fed Loftus-Cheek down the right side of the box who was barged off the ball by Rrahmani, but Doveri saw no foul.
The pressure was all from the Rossoneri as Napoli seemed to struggle with a system change back to a four-man defence. Bennacer and Leao both had chances to at least force a save from Gollini with shots from the left side of the box, but fired wide and over respectively.
The visitors could have perhaps got themselves on level terms with a chance out of nothing as Simeone picked up the ball deep in Milan’s half, yet he couldn’t find the target with a powerful shot from 20 yards.
Mazzarri’s side continued to wrestle their way back into the game, with Florenzi’s brilliant slide thwarting Kvaratskhelia inside the box and then Politano curling a shot narrowly wide of the far post.
Pioli made a couple of changes with 25 minutes left as his side struggled to keep control of the game. Kjaer and Bennacer were the ones who made way; Jan-Carlo Simic and Yunus Musah replacing them.
Leao probably thought his goal drought was over when he jinked inside onto his right after collecting a pass from Musah and got a clean shot off, yet it bent just wide of the far post with Gollini seemingly beaten.
With the game wide open heading into the final 10 minutes, Pioli made two more changes with Luka Jovic and Alex Jimenez coming on for Giroud and Pulisic.
It looked as though Leao has spurned a massive chance to kill the game off in the dying minutes when he failed in attempting to square to Theo following a Jovic through ball, yet he underhit the pass and it was cleared. The flag did go up, but the replays showed it was close.
Napoli were so close to earning a point in the final minute of normal time when Simic stuck a boot out to try and block a low cross from Lindstrom and turned it onto the post, and thankfully it rebounded away to safety.
The final bit of drama was when a lengthy VAR check for a handball inside the Milan box suggested that Doveri might be called to the screen, though play did eventually resume and the five added minutes ticked by.
LEAO can do better. This is unacceptable from him. He is not challenging himself
tbh Leao played quite well tonight compared to his past games. But yeah, he’s gotta start burying those chances. Needs to get more ruthless out there.”
Rafa when will you wake up? Ima say this on gabbia tho, if the boi doesnt get a call to the national team now idk when he will.
Thanks for the win
Hard fought and lucky win. Still, I believe their mind was already on Thursday match against Rennes. Hope nothing serious with Calabria but he’s probably going to miss EL clash. Theo motm, Gabbia right behind him. Hope Spaletti is watching cause this kid deserves a call up.
I should be celebrating but leao has got me so angry. What the hell is he doing?
Spaletti was at the game 😉
Theo played like true captain this game respect. In my opinion Leao should be benched for Okafor for the next game because as all of you noticed he was faaar from his usual level and that’s maybe for the last couple of months. But who amazes me is Gabbia – simply the best player in our squad since he came back. Always at the right spot.
It was a tough match and we took the three point.
Kinda funny tho when the situation where Leao should be selfish and score but he decided for an assist and we failed to score lol. But nonetheless Leao played quite well despite didn’t score that 1v1 in the 2nd half.
Why does pioli refuse to take off leao…
Theo looked great. Leao moved around well and created dangerous situations but needs to find that goal to ease up. He looks tense. You can tell the drought is in his head. Hmultiple opportunities to score.
Giroud looked beat. As he usually does when he starts consecutive games. not sure why Pioli didn’t throw Okafor on earlier for Puli.
I think Pioli was saving Okafor for Rennes. He could start along with Jovic.