Napoli vs Milan 2-1: Two Early Goals Do It for the Partenopei | OneFootball

With a bit more suffering that what initially looked, Napoli answered to Inter’s win earlier today and beat Milan 2-1 at the Stadio Maradona to maintain the Nerazzurri‘s pace and keep dreaming of the Scudetto. Three points still separate Inter and Napoli in the Serie A table with eight games left.

The Partenopei seemed on track for an easy win tonight as Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku built a two-goal cushion in less than 20 minutes, taking advantage of Milan’s confused state. However, Sergio Conceicao’s side somehow managed to put themselves back on track despite Santiago Gimenez missing a penalty.

Luka Jovic’s first goal in 11 months gave the Rossoneri a ray of hope, but their final assault didn’t manage to break Antonio Conte’s wall. The fourth place in the table is now nine points away for Milan. Grabbing a Champions League slot for next season is becoming a desperate endeavor in Milanello.

Pushed by the good vibes brought at the Maradona by past Napoli legends Ezequiel Lavezzi, Careca, and Alemao – who were celebrated before kick-off – Antonio Conte’s side had a devastating start. Conte had to deal with a last-minute defection as Scott McTominay was unavailable due to a flu. The most recent disappointing performances suggested the Azzurri coach to switch back to a 4-3-3 formation as David Neres and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa recovered their spots in the starting lineup.

Sergio Conceicao’s choices were more surprising as Rafael Leao and Gimenez both dropped to the bench, replaced by Joao Felix and Tammy Abraham. It didn’t work out though as the coach decided to change plans early in the second half. Indeed, Milan started to give some signs of life only when the Portuguese starlet finally came in.

Milan’s disastrous approach to the games is no news anymore. It took only two minutes for Politano to sneak between Theo Hernandez and Strahinja Pavlovic, catching Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross, and then fire the ball past Mike Maignan. The once-unpassable custodian conceded yet another goal at the near post.

On 19 minutes, Alessandro Buongiorno recovered the ball past the midfield line and delivered it to Billy Gilmour, who saw Lukaku all alone in the middle of the box. Kyle Walker kept the Belgian on side, so that he could easily chip the ball home, courtesy of the Rossoneri‘s back line dreadful positioning. Maignan’s save from an Anguissa long range shot spared the Rossoneri more blushes, but their approach was appalling. Milan’s reaction was basically non-existent so the Partenopei could preserve their double lead until half time without breaking too much of a sweat.

Rafael Leao replaced Warren Bondo after the restart, whereas Samu Chukwueze and Gimenez were introduced a few minutes later as Conceicao tried to shake things up for his side. With all their designated starters all on the pitch, Milan appeared to be a bit more dangerous, while Napoli started to take their feet off the pedal, perhaps too much and too early.

The result was a penalty for Milan, which substitute Philip Billing gave away on 65 minutes as he pushed down Hernandez in the box. However, Santiago Gimenez’s conversion was terrible and offered Alex Meret a great chance to shine. The Napoli goalkeeper promptly obliged and blocked the former Feyenoord striker’s weak shot.

The Rossoneri still found the back of the net on 84 minutes. Leao came up with one of his trademark dashes along the left flank and whipped the ball in the middle of the box, where Jovic came one split second earlier than his teammate Gimenez to slot it past Meret.  And so, a game that seemed done and dusted for the home side suddenly caught fire and offered the audience some thrilling last ten minutes.

Milan’s final assault was chaotic but gritty. Jovic had a chance to make it two but sent his shot off target. Maignan found himself joining his teammates upfront during stoppage time but it was no use.

Napoli deservedly got the W to continue breathing on Simone Inzaghi’s neck, even though they should have better kept their concentration on in the second half. Plus, it was not all roses for the Partenopei: Conte was booked and thus received a one-match ban, meaning that he won’t be able to lead his side from the bench next week at Bologna, while Stanislav Lobotka picked up an injury a few minutes before full time.

REFEREE: Mr. Sozza from MilanNOTES: Yellow Cards: Lukaku, Conte (N), Sergio Conceicao, Jimenez (M); Added Time: 1st Half 1′, 2nd Half 5′