A good Napoli, perhaps the best of the season, is not enough to take home points from San Siro. Milan still wins, thanks to a goal by Theo Hernandez on an assist by Leao midway through the first half.
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The Azzurri are still in ninth place, 7 points behind the Champions League zone after Atalanta's victory. Mazzarri returns to a three-man defence and this time chooses Ostigard, Rrahmani and Juan Jesus in front of Gollini's goal.
On the outside Mazzocchi and Di Lorenzo with Anguissa, Lobotka and Zielinski completing the midfield. Kvaratskhelia supports the lone striker Simeone.
Pioli responds by relying on his most faithful: Maignan in goal, Calabria and Theo Hernandez wide with Kjaer and Gabbia in the centre. Adli and Bennacer make up the midfield duo without the suspended Reijnders, Loftus-Cheek is the attacking midfielder while Leao and Pulisic are on the wings.
Giroud in attack.
Napoli good at the start, then Milan unlocks with Theo
Napoli started well, controlling the game in the first minutes. Milan waited and tried to strike on the counterattack but it was the Azzurri who had the better chance.
In the 10th minute, Kvaratskhelia made a move on the wing and crossed low for Simeone, who kicked first time with a sure shot but hit the post. The Rossoneri grew as the minutes passed and beat the guests in the center in the 25th minute for the opening goal.
Giroud-Leao exchange, the Portuguese passes a great through ball to Theo Hernandez who makes no mistake in front of Gollini. The Neapolitans feel the blow and the home team tries to double their lead with Leao from outside the area: Gollini saves with a dive.
At the end of the half Calabria gets hurt: Pioli is forced to make the first substitution, Florenzi takes his place. Kvaratskhelia's idea in the 45th minute, the low cross after the double dribble on Kjaer and Florenzi ends however without the desired outcome and the defense clears.
We go to the break with Milan leading 1-0.
Napoli dangerous but not enough: Milan wins
Rossoneri one step away from doubling their lead at the start of the second half: Gollini is unsure on a shot from outside by Florenzi, the goalkeeper lets the ball slip away but then recovers on Giroud's attempted tap-in. After a penalty claimed by Loftus-Cheek, a great opportunity arrives for Napoli: Simeone has it, taking advantage of a horror pass by Bennacer, but his shot from outside is high.
The Azzurri's push continued with Kvaratskhelia and especially with the new arrival Politano shortly after: a curling shot from the former Inter player went just wide. Milan responded with Leao, who in the 69th minute, on a service from Musah, missed the chance to make it 2-0 in front of Gollini.
In the meantime, Mazzarri brings on Raspadori, then Lindstrom and Olivera (back on the pitch). The ending is all Neapolitan: the most sensational opportunity comes on a low cross from Lindstrom, Simic deflects it onto the post, almost scoring an own goal.
A VAR check for a foul on Di Lorenzo in the area doesn't help Napoli: the Rossoneri resist and take home the three points. The Azzurri are knocked out again.
Article published on 11 February 2024 - 22:50
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