Two Early Goals Do It for the Partenopei

With a bit extra struggling that what initially regarded, Napoli answered to Inter’s win earlier today and beat Milan 2-1 on the Stadio Maradona to keep up the Nerazzurri‘s tempo and hold dreaming of the Scudetto. Three factors nonetheless separate Inter and Napoli within the Serie A desk with eight video games left. 

The Partenopei appeared on monitor for a simple win tonight as Matteo Politano and Romelu Lukaku constructed a two-goal cushion in lower than 20 minutes, benefiting from Milan’s confused state. Nevertheless, Sergio Conceicao’s aspect one way or the other managed to place themselves again on monitor regardless of Santiago Gimenez lacking a penalty.

Luka Jovic’s first aim in 11 months gave the Rossoneri a ray of hope, however their last assault didn’t handle to interrupt Antonio Conte’s wall. The fourth place within the desk is now 9 factors away for Milan. Grabbing a Champions League slot for subsequent season is turning into a determined endeavor in Milanello.   

Pushed by the nice vibes introduced on the Maradona by previous Napoli legends Ezequiel Lavezzi, Careca, and Alemao – who have been celebrated earlier than kick-off – Antonio Conte’s aspect had a devastating begin. Conte needed to take care of a last-minute defection as Scott McTominay was unavailable as a result of a flu. The newest disappointing performances urged the Azzurri coach to modify again to a 4-3-3 formation as David Neres and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa recovered their spots within the beginning lineup. 

Sergio Conceicao’s selections have been extra stunning as Rafael Leao and Gimenez each dropped to the bench, changed by Joao Felix and Tammy Abraham. It didn’t work out although because the coach determined to alter plans early within the second half. Certainly, Milan began to offer some indicators of life solely when the Portuguese starlet lastly got here in. 

Milan’s disastrous method to the video games is not any information anymore. It took solely two minutes for Politano to sneak between Theo Hernandez and Strahinja Pavlovic, catching Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s cross, after which hearth the ball previous Mike Maignan. The once-unpassable custodian conceded one more aim on the close to publish.

On 19 minutes, Alessandro Buongiorno recovered the ball previous the midfield line and delivered it to Billy Gilmour, who noticed Lukaku on their own in the course of the field. Kyle Walker saved the Belgian on aspect, in order that he may simply chip the ball dwelling, courtesy of the Rossoneri‘s again line dreadful positioning. Maignan’s save from an Anguissa lengthy vary shot spared the Rossoneri extra blushes, however their method was appalling. Milan’s response was mainly non-existent so the Partenopei may protect their double lead till half time with out breaking an excessive amount of of a sweat. 

Rafael Leao changed Warren Bondo after the restart, whereas Samu Chukwueze and Gimenez have been launched a couple of minutes later as Conceicao tried to shake issues up for his aspect. With all their designated starters all on the pitch, Milan gave the impression to be a bit extra harmful, whereas Napoli began to take their ft off the pedal, maybe an excessive amount of and too early. 

The consequence was a penalty for Milan, which substitute Philip Billing gave away on 65 minutes as he pushed down Hernandez within the field. Nevertheless, Santiago Gimenez’s conversion was horrible and supplied Alex Meret a fantastic likelihood to shine. The Napoli goalkeeper promptly obliged and blocked the previous Feyenoord striker’s weak shot.  

The Rossoneri nonetheless discovered the again of the web on 84 minutes. Leao got here up with one among his trademark dashes alongside the left flank and whipped the ball in the course of the field, the place Jovic got here one cut up second sooner than his teammate Gimenez to fit it previous Meret.  And so, a recreation that appeared finished and dusted for the house aspect all of the sudden caught hearth and supplied the viewers some thrilling final ten minutes.

Milan’s last assault was chaotic however gritty. Jovic had an opportunity to make it two however despatched his shot off track. Maignan discovered himself becoming a member of his teammates upfront throughout stoppage time however it was no use.

Napoli deservedly received the W to proceed respiratory on Simone Inzaghi’s neck, regardless that they need to have higher saved their focus on within the second half. Plus, it was not all roses for the Partenopei: Conte was booked and thus acquired a one-match ban, which means that he received’t be capable to lead his aspect from the bench subsequent week at Bologna, whereas Stanislav Lobotka picked up an damage a couple of minutes earlier than full time.    

MATCH SCORECARD

March 30, 2025 – Serie A 2024/25 Spherical 30
NAPOLI – MILAN 2-1

SCORERS: 2′ Politano (N), 19′ Lukaku (N), 84′ Jovic (M)

	NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera; Anguissa (65′ Billing), Lobotka (81′ Juan Jesus), Gilmour; Politano (85′ Mazzocchi), Lukaku (85′ Simeone), David Neres (85′ Ngonge) (Scuffet, Turi, Esposito, Marín, Hasa, Okafor, Raspadori) Coach: Conte
	MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Walker (79′ Jimenez), Gabbia, Pavlovic, T. Hernandez; Bondo (46′ Rafael Leao), Fofana; Pulisic (79′ Jovic), Reijnders, Joao Felix (55′ Chukwueze); Abraham (55′ Gimenez) (Sportiello, Torriani; Florenzi, Terracciano, Thiaw, Tomori, Sottil) Coach: Sergio Conceicao

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