Sun Mar 30 19:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Napoli Edges Out Milan in Thrilling 2-1 Victory
**Naples, Italy** – Napoli secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Sunday, maintaining their pursuit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan. The match was a rollercoaster, with Napoli taking an early lead and Milan mounting a late comeback attempt that fell just short.
Napoli struck first after just 62 seconds when Matteo Politano’s powerful strike beat Mike Maignan. A defensive lapse by Hernandez and Pavlovic allowed Politano to exploit the space. The Partenopei doubled their lead before halftime when Romelu Lukaku, played onside by Walker, easily slotted the ball past Maignan following a through ball from Billy Gilmour. Milan’s first-half performance was described as lacking creativity and ideas, with their defense significantly at fault for both goals.
The second half saw a more determined Milan side, spurred on by substitutions. The Rossoneri pulled one back through Luka Jovic, who expertly anticipated a low cross from Theo Hernandez, pushing the ball into the net. Milan pressed hard for an equalizer in the closing stages, with several close calls, including a powerful shot from Nikola Pavlovic that Meret expertly saved. A penalty appeal for Milan was successful when Hernandez was brought down in the area, but the resulting penalty was saved by Meret. Despite their late surge, Milan’s comeback efforts ultimately proved insufficient.
The victory keeps Napoli within striking distance of Inter, while the defeat further complicates Milan’s Champions League aspirations, leaving their European qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Milan’s Spanish midfielder, Brahim Diaz, received a yellow card, resulting in a suspension for their next match against Fiorentina. Both managers, Rudi Garcia (Milan) and Luciano Spalletti (Napoli), received yellow cards for protests during the game. Injuries also played a role, with Napoli’s Scott McTominay ruled out due to illness and Milan’s Tijjani Reijnders undergoing successful appendicitis surgery.
First Piper 