Elmas’ sixth-minute header is the only difference between the two sides as Napoli come away from San Siro with all-three points. The early goal allowed the visitors to hit on the counter-attack, exposing the Milan full-backs; especially without the presence of Theo Hernandez. Milan for the most part relied on the physicality of first Ibrahimovic and then Giroud to trouble Ospina but Rrahmani was a calming presence at the back - repelling any danger in the penalty area. The Rossoneri thought they had a late equaliser for the second match in a row after Kessie’s finish following a penalty area scramble but a lengthy VAR review resulted in a handball on Kalulu which meant the goal had to be disallowed. Milan fail to impress yet again as Napoli get themselves back into the title race with the win; both sides are level in second on 39 points.
Milan are in action again on Wednesday when they travel to face Empoli. Napoli host Spezia on the same day.
That concludes our commentary of the Serie A fixture between Milan and Napoli! We hope you’ve enjoyed it!
Cronaca
Formazioni
Statistiche
90'+6'
FULL-TIME: MILAN 1-0 NAPOLI. 22:40
90'+4'
It appears as though the referee will allow the match to continue a little longer due to the VAR intervention in injury time - but it looks as though Milan are out of ideas. 22:38
90'+2'
The fourth official indicates two minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages. 22:37
90'
MILAN SCORE BUT VAR RULES IT OFF! A scramble in the penalty area after a Giroud header leads to a Castillejo shot, which is blocked by Jesus. The deflection takes it across the 18-yard box for Kessie, who beats Ospina with a shot high into the roof of the net but Kalulu is called for handball in the build-up as Milan are denied an equaliser!22:36
88'
Ibrahimovic's header towards the penalty area is met by Jesus’ backpass to Ospina - which the goalkeeper only narrowly gets to ahead of the oncoming Giroud.22:32
86'
Ghoulam gets four minutes on the pitch as Elmas is replaced. 22:29
86'
Milan make a change as Florenzi is replaced by Kalulu.22:28
84'
Milan are relying on route-one tactics as they continue to search for an equaliser, with every attack coming via a cross into either Giroud or Ibrahimovic. Rrahmani and Jesus have dealt with the physicality well for the most part - rarely allowing Ospina to be forced into a save.23:13
82'
Milan are Matteo Politano’s favourite away opponent in Serie A: three goals at Meazza against the Rossoneri, including one in Napoli’s 1-0 win in March.22:25
80'
Bennacer’s corner looks for the head of Giroud but Rrahmani is in the way as the defender gets the ball clear of the penalty area.22:23
78'
Mertens sends Petagna to the bench as Napoli make a change at striker. 22:22
78'
Milan make changes as well with Castillejo chosen to come on for Messias.22:22
77'
An alteration in midfield sees Bennacer replace Tonali.03:50
77'
Zielinski also makes way with Ounas sent on in his stead.22:22
77'
Lozano is given a rest as Spalletti changes things up with 13 minutes remaining. Politano is his replacement. 22:22
75'
It’s going to have to be another late show for Milan if they wish to get anything from the match as the Rossoneri have just 15 minutes to finally beat Ospina. It’s been another sluggish performance from the hosts, who relied on a late strike to get a point from Udinese last weekend.22:17
73'
Messias’ curling cross to the far post fails to drop kindly for Giroud, whose awkward header is sent over the crossbar from close range.22:16
71'
Messias clips the ball forward for Ibrahimovic, who looks to play a header back to Kessie. The Milan midfielder is a bit too eager to get to the ball, however - pushing Anguissa in the process which forces the referee to award Napoli a free-kick.22:14
69'
CHANCE GOES BEGGING! Tonali plays a wonderfully incisive pass through midfield for Messias, who cuts inside ahead of the penalty area and fires a left-footed curler that leaves Ospina rooted to the spot! Luckily for the goalkeeper, the shot is put just wide as Milan must continue to search for the leveller.22:12
67'
Malcuit charges through the back of Saelemaekers to prevent a Milan counter-attack, prompting the referee to produce a yellow card for the Napoli full-back.22:10
65'
The two changes made means Milan have switched to a 4-4-2 formation with Saelemaekers and Messias either side of Kessie and Tonali - behind the partnership of Ibrahimovic and Giroud.22:08
63'
Saelemaekers enters the match with 27 minutes left to go as Krunic makes way. 22:06
63'
Giroud replaces Diaz as Milan look to play with two strikers. 22:05
61'
Krunic gives the ball away in midfield which sets Napoli off on a counter-attack but Tomori's last-ditch sliding challenge blocks Malcuit’s cross and keeps the ball in Milan’s possession.22:05
59'
Spalletti is unbeaten in his eight Serie A matches as coach against Pioli: six wins and two draws (including the one in the last meeting in February 2019, Fiorentina-Inter 3-3); Spalletti, in particular, is also unbeaten in his last 13 Serie A games against Milan (W10, D3), since Milan-Roma, 2-1, in May 2006.22:02
57'
Play is stopped for Rrahmani, who has gone down holding his face after a clash with Kessie. It’s clumsy but not malicious as Napoli are given a drop-ball to restart play just ahead of their penalty area.22:01
55'
Lozano holds off Ballo-Toure and plays it wide to Malcuit but the ensuing low cross is poor and cut out at the near post by Romagnoli.21:58
54'
Lobotka is in for Demme as Spalletti looks to change his midfield six minutes before the hour. 21:56
53'
Messias wins half a yard ahead of Di Lorenzo after a couple of step-overs but his curling effort to the far post brings about an apology to Ibrahimovic - as the shot fails to hit the target.21:56
51'
Messias dribbles towards goal with the ball touch-tight before opening up his body and hitting a curling effort that’s caught by a lunging Ospina.21:54
50'
GREAT SAVE! Krunic plays Ibrahimovic into the penalty area, with the Sweden international taking a touch before firing a left-footed effort that forces Ospina to drive back to palm it over the bar.21:52
48'
Lozano leaves his leg outstretched after playing a pass back and catches Krunic - giving Milan a free-kick in midfield.21:51
46'
Milan get the match restarted from the kick-off! 21:48
Short of options due to a host of injuries, Pioli’s most logical attacking option on the bench appears to be Saelemaekers, who could replace either Krunic or Messias. As the match goes on it seems inevitable that Giroud will be sent on either to replace or partner Ibrahimovic - with the two strong centre-forwards potentially working in tandem to bully the Napoli defence. Spalletti could do with the services of Lobotka in midfield; where his ability to keep possession could thwart the Milan press. Mertens could also be used to stretch the play and provide on-field leadership as the Partenopei look to see out the result.21:34
Napoli take a 1-0 lead into the interval at San Siro as a sixth-minute header remains the only difference between the two sides. The hosts started very nervously and were punished for lax set-piece defending when Zielinski’s near-post cross found an unmarked Elmas, who nodded it past Maignan to take the lead. The Rossoneri grew in confidence as the match wore on and had a couple of half-chances to equalise - with Florenzi’s powerful half-volley the pick of the lot. Napoli looked comfortable sitting back and hitting on the counter-attack which was facilitated by their early goal - which forced Pioli’s side to come forward more and more.21:31
45'+1'
HALF-TIME: MILAN 0-1 NAPOLI. 21:31
45'
Ibrahimovic is looking for a penalty as Ballo-Toure’s cross appeared to hit the hand of a floored Rrahmani but the striker is called for a foul in the build-up, shoving the defender with two hands to win a bit of space.21:37
43'
Zielinski cuts inside and drives a shot towards goal which is blocked - only for Lozano to send a follow-up effort wide of the post.21:29
41'
Ballo-Toure dribbles into a bit of trouble on the edge of his own penalty area but he manages to sneak a pass back to Maignan - who clears it at the first time of asking.21:27
39'
Messias is tasked with taking a Milan corner from the right but he sends the delivery right into the arms of Ospina - failing to trouble the goalkeeper.21:25
37'
A lovely passing move down the left gets Di Lorenzo free near the byline but Florenzi’s perfectly timed sliding challenge wins the ball back for Milan at a crucial moment.21:23
35'
WHAT A HIT FROM FLORENZI! Tonali’s free-kick is repelled by the head of Jesus - who puts it to the edge of the penalty area. Florenzi latches on to the loose ball and fires a powerful left-footed half-volley that narrowly misses the bottom corner!21:20
33'
Di Lorenzo's handball in midfield while attempting to intercept a pass earns the full-back a yellow card. 21:21
32'
Messias is unable to control a cross-field pass which allows Di Lorenzo to win the ball from the winger on the right before drawing a free-kick. 21:19
30'
A promising Milan attack is brought to a halt by the referee, who is unable to get out of the way of Krunic’s incisive pass - giving Milan a chance to restart play from a drop-ball. The brief stoppage allows Napoli to get back and reorganise, however, stopping the momentum.21:17
28'
Di Lorenzo misjudges a pass out to the right which allows Messias to intercept in a position to attack immediately. The eventual cross is sent in looking for Ibrahimovic but Demme’s header straight up allows Ospina to catch it comfortably.21:13
26'
Krunic wins a header in midfield that looks to put Diaz through on goal but a backtracking Lozano pops up at the centre-back position to make a crucial interception.21:11
24'
The last time Milan won at home against Napoli in Serie A came in December 2014 (2-0) under Filippo Inzaghi (Menez and Bonaventura as scorers); since then, three wins for the Partenopei and three draws.21:10
22'
Florenzi’s flat cross to the far post looking for Petagna is cut out well by Florenzi, who heads it back to Maignan assuredly.21:08
20'
Florenzi hoofs a pass forward looking for Krunic but the delivery is hit with too much power as Ospina is able to come off his line to collect the loose ball.21:06
18'
NARROWLY WIDE! Milan find their confidence as Ballo-Toure bursts forward down the left and fires a dangerous cross into the penalty area for Ibrahimovic - who misses the far post narrowly with a header.21:04
17'
Tonali’s corner to the far post for Ibrahimovic drags Ospina off his line and sends the goalkeeper flapping at the delivery but the Sweden international is unable to direct the effort towards goal as it loops over the crossbar.21:03
15'
Krunic asks for a foul after he loses a shoe in a duel with Malcuit near the touchline but the referee sees nothing wrong with the battle as Napoli are given a throw-in.21:01
13'
Tonali sends a Milan free-kick on the left wing into the penalty area looking for the head of Tomori but it’s cleared away by Zielinski before play is stopped for an injured Di Lorenzo.20:59
11'
Demme drags Diaz back on the right wing and brings the forward to the ground. The referee is having a stern talk with the midfielder, who won’t get away with a second cynical foul.20:56
9'
Another Zielinski corner causes havoc inside the penalty area after a short routine with Lozano but it’s eventually scuffed behind for a goal-kick by Anguissa from six yards out.20:54
7'
Malcuit finds Lozano on the right wing but the Mexico international’s first-time cross into the area is blocked by a lunging Romagnoli.20:53
5'
Zielinski's spectacular set-piece quality shines through once again as he's credited with the assist for Elmas' goal. 20:52
5'
NAPOLI TAKE THE LEAD! Zielinski’s early corner finds the unmarked near-post run of Elmas - who nods a downward header underneath the arm of Maignan! 1-0!
Maignan plays a lovely pass that cuts through the midfield looking for Messias on the right wing but Ospina comes well outside his penalty area to clear the danger.20:49
2'
Petagna wins an early corner which is taken by Zielinski but the short set-piece routine is stifled well by Milan, who prevent their opponents from having a shot.20:48
1'
Napoli get the match underway from the kick-off! 20:46
Napoli make three changes from their 1-0 defeat against Empoli last time out. Malcuit is in for Rui at left-back, while Anguissa replaces Ounas behind Petegana - who gets the start ahead of Mertens.20:39
Milan make four changes from the XI that drew 1-1 with Udinese last Saturday. Theo Hernandez is unavailable through illness so Ballo-Toure takes his spot, while rotation in midfield sees Kessie and Tonali replace Bennacer and Bakayoko. The final switch is on the right wing, where Saelemaekers is dropped for Messias.20:39
NAPOLI SUBS: Dries Mertens, Adam Ounas, Faouzi Ghoulam, Alex Meret, Alessandro Zanoli, Stanislav Lobotka, Davide Marfella, Matteo Politano.20:35
NAPOLI XI (4-2-3-1): David Ospina; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Juan Jesus, Kevin Malcuit; Diego Demme, Piotr Zielinski; Hirving Lozano, Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Eljif Elmas; Andrea Petagna. 20:35
MILAN SUBS: Ciprian Tatarusanu, Ismael Bennacer, Samu Castillejo, Olivier Giroud, Pierre Kalulu, Daniel Maldini, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Matteo Gabbia, Alexis Saelemaekers, Antonio Mirante.20:34
MILAN XI (4-2-3-1): Mike Maignan; Fode Ballo-Toure, Alessio Romagnoli, Fikayo Tomori, Alessandro Florenzi; Franck Kessie, Sandro Tonali; Rade Krunic, Brahim Diaz, Junior Messias; Zlatan Ibrahimovic.20:34
With 10 minutes to go before kick-off, let's take a look at how the two sides are lining up - starting with our hosts! 20:34
Napoli have lost their last two matches, which has dropped the former pace-setters down into fourth place. After starting the season with eight-straight victories, a host of injuries to key players has halted the Partenopei’s momentum - though three points would take Luciano Spalletti’s side above Atalanta and into a tie with Milan in second.20:20
It’s a crucial clash at the top-end of the table as Milan look to put pressure on leaders Inter - with a win taking the Rossoneri one point back of their city rivals. A draw against Udinese last weekend arrested a run of two straight league victories for Stefano Pioli’s side, who have only lost one of their last 10 matches at home.20:12
Hello and welcome to our LIVE commentary of the Serie A fixture between Milan and Napoli!20:07
Dove si gioca la partita:
Stadio: Giuseppe Meazza Città: Milano Capienza: 80074 spettatori20:07
Milan - Napoli is a match of 18 day of the season Serie A 2021/2022. The match will be 19 december at 18:00 in the stadium Giuseppe Meazza in Milano. Referee of Milan - Napoli will be Davide Massa with the help of Filippo Meli e Daniele Bindoni. At VAR there will be Aleandro Di Paolo.
Currently Milan is 3° in the standings with 39 points (thanks of 12 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats); while Napoli is 2° in the standings with 39 points (thanks of 12 wins, 3 pareggi and 3 sconfitte). Milan scored 36 goals and conceded 20; Napoli scored 35 goals and conceded 13.
At home Milan scored 19 points (6 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses). Away Napoli scored 17 points (5 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss). Milan in the last three matches of the season challenged Salernitana, Udinese and Napoli obtaining 4 points thanks to 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss. Napoli in the last three matches of the season challenged Sassuolo, Atalanta and Empoli obtaining 1 point thanks to 0 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. In the last match Milan was against Napoli losing 0-1 while Napoli was against Empoli losing 0-1. The best scorer of the team coached by Stefano Pioli is Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 7 goals while the best scorer of the team coached by Luciano Spalletti is Dries Mertens with 5 goals.
Milan and Napoli competed 146 times in the league. In the previous matches Milan won 55 times, Napoli won 43 times while the number of draw was 48.
These are the statistics of the two teams in the matches played in the season:
Where to see Milan-Napoli You can see the live match Milan-Napoli here on Virgilio Sport starting 18:00 CET of 19 december. Discover who will broadcast live Milan - Napoli between Sky and Dazn.
