Napoli suffered their 3rd loss of the Serie A season when they were trashed 4-0 by AC Milan in what is expected to throw some warnings for Naples ahead of their UCL matchup with the same opposition in the upcoming weeks.
These sides meet again in the Champions League quarter-finals this month, on 12 and 18 April, and although the team is on verge of winning the league they still just need to win five of their remaining 10 league games to ensure a first Serie A title since 1990.
Napoli, who have been near-perfect all season, have now lost two of their past four Serie A games, having been beaten in just one of their first 24, This was their biggest defeat since losing 5-1 to Atalanta in 07-08
The game at Naples
The visitors went ahead after 17 minutes when Brahim Diaz sent a through ball to Leao, who took a touch and chipped it elegantly over Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
Napoli, who are seeking their first Serie A title since 1989-90, after being runners-up four times since 2013, was without injured Serie A top scorer Victor Oshimen and they rarely threatened to reduce the deficit. Diaz doubled the lead eight minutes later when he received a cross inside the box, threw a dummy that left Napoli defender Mario Rui stranded, and sent the ball into the net with a deflection.
Milan effectively ended the match 14 minutes into the second half when Leao ran into the box, twisted and turned past three Napoli defenders, and lashed his shot in.
Alexis Saelemakers scored a fourth after 67 minutes with a solo effort in which he went past four defenders before putting the ball through Meret’s legs. It was the first time in more than 22 years that Napoli have lost a Serie A match at home by four or more goals.
AC Milan striker Rafael Leao netted twice to give his side a superb 4-0 away victory over leaders Napoli in Serie A on Sunday, moving Stefano Pioli’s side up to third place in the standings. Milan has 51 points, one ahead of fourth-placed Inter Milan, and four behind second-placed Lazio Napoli are 20 points clear at the top.
Stefano Pioli’s comments after the game
“This is only the first step. There are another nine Serie A games where we must have the same attitude because we threw away opportunities in the past and cannot do it again. This is a fine win, but it is only one match,” Pioli told DAZN.
“Whatever the result was going to be this evening, it would not affect the Champions League, as that will be a different experience, atmosphere, and everything. It will allow us to study this match and see where we did well or could’ve done better,” Pioli added.
The match was the first of three clashes between the clubs. Later this month, they will also play against each other in the Champions League quarterfinals.
