AC Milan Beat Napoli 2-1 to Send Strong Serie A Title Message

AC Milan underlined their Serie A title credentials on Sunday with a statement 2-1 victory over reigning champions Napoli, climbing to the top of the table despite playing the final half-hour with 10 men.

Christian Pulisic starred at the San Siro, providing the assist for Alexis Saelemaekers’ third-minute opener before doubling the lead just past the half-hour mark. The American forward’s match-winning display against an injury-hit Napoli side lifted Milan to 12 points, ahead of both the champions and Roma — who beat Verona 2-0 — on goal difference.

“What we did out there today was incredible. It was a top, top performance,” Pulisic told DAZN. “The manager has done really well to get the best out of every player here. We’ve got a lot of quality and we showed that on the pitch.”

Pulisic, who has already netted six times this season in all competitions, showcased his creativity before scoring with a pass to Youssouf Fofana that drew comparisons to Luka Modric. The 27-year-old received a standing ovation when substituted for Davide Bartesaghi, shortly before Kevin De Bruyne converted a 60th-minute penalty to pull Napoli back into the game.

Milan were reduced to 10 men after Pervis Estupiñán was sent off for hauling down Giovanni Di Lorenzo. From then on, Massimiliano Allegri’s side were forced to absorb pressure as Antonio Conte’s men pressed hard for an equaliser. David Neres nearly snatched a point for the visitors when his deflected shot struck the woodwork deep into stoppage time, but Milan held firm to claim a fourth consecutive league win.

Napoli, who lost their perfect start in Serie A, will now turn their focus to the Champions League clash with Sporting Lisbon. “We have to do better for their goals. It wasn’t easy after going behind so early, but we pressed high and created chances,” Conte told DAZN. “There are improvements to be made because we’re conceding too much to our opponents.”

Roma Stay in the Chase
At the Stadio Olimpico, Artem Dovbyk opened his account early for Roma before Matias Soule sealed victory with 11 minutes left, moving them briefly second in the standings. Coach Gian Piero Gasperini admitted fatigue from a congested schedule affected his side’s sharpness: “A number of players were having difficulties… we struggled more than we should have done,” he told DAZN.

Verona, still winless and sitting 16th with three points, missed a golden chance when Gift Orban somehow struck the bar from close range.

Elsewhere, Pisa were denied their first Serie A win in over 30 years after VAR ruled out Henrik Meister’s strike in a 0-0 draw with Fiorentina. Lecce teenager and Milan loanee Francesco Camarda scored his first Serie A goal at just 17 years old, heading in a stoppage-time equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Bologna.

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