Summary:
- Milan stuns Napoli with a 4-0 victory:
- Rafael Leao scores twice, Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers also find the net
- Rossoneri secure third place in Serie A, set up Champions League quarter-final clash
- Key players missing for both teams:
- Napoli’s Victor Osimhen absent due to injury, Giovanni Simeone steps in
- Milan without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Junior Messias, and Pierre Kalulu, returns to 4-2-3-1 formation
- Napoli struggles to create chances:
- Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan makes crucial saves for clean sheet
- Napoli faces challenge of regrouping ahead of Champions League matches
Naples, Italy (MandyNews.com) – Milan delivered a stunning upset to league leaders Napoli with a resounding 4-0 victory at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, even without the presence of Victor Osimhen, who missed the match due to injury.
Rafael Leao’s brace, along with goals from Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers, propelled the Rossoneri to third place in Serie A, setting up an exciting clash in the Champions League quarter-finals. This was the first of three meetings between the clubs, with the next two scheduled for April 12 and 18 in the Champions League.
Giovanni Simeone played center forward for Napoli in the game, while Milan, without key players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Junior Messias, and Pierre Kalulu, switched back to a 4-2-3-1 formation after trying a three-man defense in recent weeks.
Fans of Napoli held a silent protest against higher ticket prices and stricter security measures, which made the stadium feel strange.
Milan took the lead in the 17th minute with a cleverly worked move, as Rafael Leao beat Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret with a delightful lob after a fine assist from Brahim Diaz. The Portuguese forward hadn’t scored in all competitions since January 14.
Diaz himself doubled the lead in the 25th minute, sending Mario Rui past with a dummy before firing in from close range. The Spaniard had not scored in Serie A since October.
Milan’s dominance continued in the second half, with Leao netting his second goal in the 59th minute after a swift counter-attack.
The fourth goal arrived in the 67th minute when substitute Saelemaekers dribbled through three Napoli defenders to score with a cheeky nutmeg finish.
During the whole game, it was hard for Napoli to find their footing, and Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan made several key saves to keep a clean sheet.
The 4-0 win puts Milan firmly in third place and in prime position for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Napoli, on the other hand, will need to regroup and look at how they played before their next European games.
