Napoli 2-2 AC Milan
Napoli were unable to gift manager Gennaro Gattuso a win in his first match against his former club AC Milan as the two sides played out a 2-2 draw at the San Paolo.
Aside from the Milan legend facing his old club, this match also had major implications for Serie A’s Europa League qualifying place. A win for the Rossoneri would’ve seen them leapfrog Napoli into sixth in the table.
Milan, who were riding high after their amazing comeback win against Juventus and their victory over Lazio before that, took the early lead. Napoli hit back with goals from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Dries Mertens, but despite their dominance, the visitors were still able to salvage a point through a Franck Kessie penalty.
The result leaves Milan two points behind Napoli with six matches remaining in the season.
Highlights of the game
Napoli were on the front foot early on, and they produced the first notable chance on goal through Dries Mertens on 14 minutes. The Belgian did brilliantly to cut inside from the left wing and fired a shot that looked destined for the bottom corner. But Milan keeper Gigi Donnarumma was able to get down quickly and parry it away.
A few minutes later, it was Lorenzo Insigne’s turn to come close. The Napoli skipper actually beat Donnarumma with his strike from the edge of the penalty area, but unfortunately not the post.
Napoli would have one more good chance to take the lead as Mertens set up Jose Callejon, but the Spaniard’s shot was smothered by Donnarumma.
The home side would be left to rue those missed opportunities as Milan went the other way and took the lead just a few moments later.
Ante Rebic, who has been a revelation for Milan this season, somehow found Theo Hernandez arriving on the far post with a pinpoint cross on the turn, and the French full-back volleyed the ball in from point-blank range.
Napoli almost got back on level terms immediately. Piotr Zielinski’s long-range effort whistled just wide of goal.
The home side eventually did find their equaliser on 34 minutes. Donnarumma initially did well to keep out a dangerous Insigne free-kick, but he was helpless to stop full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo from tapping the ball into the open goal on the rebound.
Napoli kept up the pressure into the second half, and they were rewarded for their efforts as they went ahead on the hour mark.
Callejon cut the ball back to Mertens, whose shot took a deflection off a Milan defender. That deflection was enough to put Donnarumma off as he was unable to keep the ball out.
However, Milan would be handed a lifeline on 71 minutes as Giacomo Bonaventura won a penalty. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic already subbed off, Franck Kessie stepped up to take responsibility, and he made no mistake as he sent David Ospina the wrong way.
Milan would have to play the final few minutes of the match with only 10 men after substitute Alexis Saelemaekers was sent off for two yellow cards. But they were still able to hold on for a share of the spoils.
Key statistics
While possession — like the Serie A 2020 betting odds for this match — was close, Napoli were clearly the superior side in this match. They had 17 shots to Milan’s five, with seven of those shots on target.
Dries Mertens was brilliant once again as he had four shots, three on target. The Belgian has scored three goals in the six games since the restart and now has nine goals in 27 Serie A appearances this season.
Meanwhile, Ante Rebic continues to produce Serie A 2020 highlights for the Rossoneri. The Croatian, who recorded an assist, has now had a hand in six of Milan’s goals in six league games since the restart (four goals, two assists).
What’s next?
After a tough four-game stretch which saw them face Atalanta, Roma, and Milan, Napoli’s schedule for the next few games will be relatively easy. First up is a trip to Bologna, and then they face 15th-placed Udinese at home. The SBOBET odds should see them as heavy favourites in that latter match.
Milan will also have some winnable matches on their plate as they look to overtake Napoli. They will be at home for their next two games as they host midtable Parma — who are winless in their last five — and Bologna.
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