Napoli edge past Milan to claim second place with Politano winner
Napoli moved into second place in Serie A after a 1-0 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, with substitute Matteo Politano scoring the decisive goal. The result pushes Antonio Conte's side two points clear of their rivals, who slip to third, though both remain significantly adrift of leaders Inter Milan.
The match was a largely cagey affair with few clear chances until Politano's 79th-minute intervention. The Italian international, introduced from the bench just minutes earlier, struck a first-time volley from a left-wing cross to beat Mike Maignan. The goal settled a contest that had seen Milan, under Massimiliano Allegri, adopt a cautious approach, leaving key attackers Rafael Leao and Christian Pulisic on the bench until the latter stages.
According to match reports, Allegri's selection raised eyebrows, with an unfamiliar attacking trio of Christopher Nkunku, Niclas Füllkrug, and Alexis Saelemaekers failing to impose itself. Napoli, missing the ill Rasmus Hojlund and with Romelu Lukaku also absent, were not much more potent in attack but showed greater conviction after the break. The introduction of Alisson Santos for the quiet Giovane added impetus before Politano's winner.
The defeat is a significant blow to Milan's fading title hopes, leaving them nine points behind Inter. For Napoli, the three points solidify their position as the primary challenger to the league leaders, now sitting seven points back. The tactical battle saw Conte's 3-4-3 system ultimately overcome Allegri's defensive setup, which only unleashed Leao and Pulisic when chasing the game.
Politano's strike marked his seventh Serie A goal against Milan, underscoring his potency against the Rossoneri. The win continues Napoli's strong home form under Conte and highlights the squad depth that allowed them to change the game from the bench, a luxury Milan did not utilize until it was too late. The result reshapes the race for Champions League qualification, with Napoli now holding a valuable buffer in the automatic spots.
For Allegri, the performance will prompt questions about his conservative strategy in a crucial six-pointer. Milan managed only a handful of shots on target throughout the match, with Santi Gimenez heading their best late chance over. The team now faces pressure to respond quickly to avoid losing further ground in the pursuit of a top-two finish.
