AC Milan new primus in Serie A
The top match in Italy this weekend brought – similar to Germany – what it promised. The momentum turned several times. In the end, however, the visitors from Bergamo were that bit more cool-headed against Napoli – and thus made AC Milan the new league leaders.
The hosts from Naples entered the top match of matchday 16 in Serie A as league leaders, but with personnel shortages. In addition to the long-term injured Osimhen, Insigne was missing in the offensive compared to the bitter 2:2 against Sassuolo, in midfield director Fabian and in defence chief Koulibaly
Not the best of conditions for Luciano Spalletti’s team, who, before they knew it, fell behind early on: Zapata gave Mailonvskyi a perfect pass and the Ukrainian scored into the corner (7th minute);
Dream start for Bergamo – Lozano misses big chance
A dream start for the Bergamo side, who were still without the injured Gosens, but were otherwise able to draw from a wide range of options. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side, with a nine-game unbeaten run and the lead behind them, came out with a big chest, but were lucky that Lozano missed a great chance to equalise (13th minute);
After that, there was a lot of idle time in terms of big chances, but after half an hour Napoli became a bit more pressured – and were rewarded before the break: Mertens placed a cross from Malcuit perfectly on the penalty spot and Zielinski scored at the second attempt to make it 1-1 (40.).
Napoli turn the corner – Mertens in top form
That seemed to spur the home side on, as Mertens countered the visitors immediately after the restart, running in alone from the halfway line and giving Musso no chance (47th) – it was the fifth league goal in the last four games for the Belgian, who thus kept SSC at least temporarily back at the top of the table.
