Milan succumbed to a 2-1 home defeat to Napoli as the goals from Matteo Politano and Giovanni Simeone ended the Rossoneri’s unbeaten run in the league.
Milan started the game with greater intensity, pushing Napoli back to their own half in the first 25 minutes of the game. But as time passed, the Visitors grew into the affair. Nevertheless, the first forty-five minutes of football saw both teams giving the spectators some awe-inspiring moments but no goals.
In the second half, Napoli drew the first blood through a penalty from Matteo Politano. Olivier Giroud scored the equaliser for Milan from a fantastic delivery provided by Theo Hernandez. But coming in the shape of a second-half substitute, Giovanni Simeone notched up the most decisive goal of the night, giving Napoli a worthy victory over the defending Serie A champions.
Milan – 1 (Olivier Giroud, 69)
Maignan, 6
Calabria, 7 – The Italian was on the pitch for 45 minutes but did well defensively against a tricky customer like Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Kjaer, 6.5
Tomori, 6.5
Theo Hernandez, 7.5 – Pocketed the assist for Milan’s equaliser. A lively figure in the second half, Theo Hernandez stayed an epitome of consistency for Milan.
Tonali, 6
Bennacer, 6
Saelemaekers, 6
De Ketelaere, 6
Krunic, 7 – Playing in the place of suspended Rafael Leão, the Bosnian was one of the most effective Rossoneri players. His work rate once again caught the eyes of the spectators.
Giroud, 8 – Came closest to scoring an opponent but could only hit the bar in the opening phase of the match. The Frenchman also tried a few audacious attempts and ended up scoring the equaliser with a clinical finish for the home side.
Substitutes: Dest, 4; Kalulu, 6.5; Messias, 6.5; Diaz, 6; Adli, N/A.
Napoli – 2 (Matteo Politano (P), 55; Giovanni Simeone, 78)
Meret, 7
Di Lorenzo, 7
Rrahmani, 7.5
Kim Min-jae, 7
Mario Rui, 7 a warrior-like figure, always putting in his full effort. He also amassed the assist for Giovanni Simeone’s headed goal in the 78th minute of the game.
Anguissa, 7
Lobotka, 7.5 – Another bright performance from him. When Milan were putting pressure on Napoli, Lobotka kept it all together for the visitors’ midfielder.
Zielinski, 6.5
Politano, 6.5
Raspadori, 5.5 – Did not have a great game, seemed a bit clueless against top-rated Milan defenders. The former Sassuolo man was thus Giovanni Simeone in the 66th minute of the game.
Kvaratskhelia, 7 – remained a symbol of calmness until Calabria was on the pitch. He turned the heat on after getting Sergiño Dest as his counterpart in the second half. Thanks to the naive defending from Barcelona loanee, the Georgian winger won a penalty, leading Napoli to break the deadlock.
Substitutes:Â Zerbin, 6; Simeone, 7.5; Elmas, N/A; Ndombele, N/A; Olivera, N/A.
GIFN | Jyotirmoy Halder
