Milan won again at home and touched second-place Juventus (53 points to 52) in the Italian Championship standings by beating Napoli 1-0 this Sunday. The Turin team plays this Monday against Udinese, who are in the relegation zone, and can regain their four-point lead. Inter Milan leads alone with 60 points.
Milan had accumulated five consecutive victories in Milan when they drew with Bologna (2-2) in the last round at home. Now the team has an unbeaten run of nine games, but the distance to leaders Inter is great. The last time the championship leader conceded points to an opponent in the Italian Championship was last year, in the 1-1 draw with Genoa, on December 29th.
Current Italian champions, Napoli are having a lackluster season and have 23 points in ninth place, outside the qualifying zone for the European cups. The defeat at the San Siro was the eighth in the championship, twice the number recorded by the Neapolitan team in the entire title campaign.
Milan’s winning goal came after a beautiful triangulation. French captain and full-back Theo Hernandez started the play in the defensive field. He passed to compatriot Giroud in midfield and advanced. The French striker played first time to Rafael Leão, on the left.
The Portuguese striker noticed Theo Hernandez’s advance and made a great assist, leaving his teammate free at the edge of the area. The Frenchman advanced and crossed the ball to score in the 25th minute of the first half.
In the second half, coach Walter Mazzarri changed Napoli’s tactical scheme and replaced defender Ostigard with striker Politano. The team managed to grow in production. He started to have more possession of the ball and finish more (there were seven attempts in the second half compared to just one in the first), but without direction (only two were on goal).
Napoli even hit the post in the 44th minute and had one last chance with a free kick in the area. Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini ventured into the rival’s area, but Milan’s defense countered with the last play of the game.
Milan play again on Thursday. Eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League, the team is looking for a place in the round of 16 of the Europa League and hosts French side Rennes in the first leg of the clash. Napoli is in the round of 16 of the Champions League and faces Barcelona, but the first game is scheduled for February 21st. Before that, the Naples team faces Genoa, on Saturday, at Diego Armando Maradona, in the 25th round of the Italian Championship.
Other results from this Sunday: Fiorentina 4 x 1 Frosinone; Bologna 4 x 0 Lecce; Monza 0 x 0 Verona and Genoa 1 x 4 Atalanta.