Naples and Milan drew in an electrifying fight

Naples and Milan staged a thrilling battle that ended in a draw at the Stadio Diego Maradona (2-2). A double of Olivier Giroud They led the ‘rossoneri’ 0-2 at half-time, but the Serie A champions showed their pride in the second half and equalized with goals from Matteo Politano and Giacomo Raspadori.

Milan, which the previous day surrendered the lead by losing to Juventus (0-1) and on Wednesday was beaten by PSG in the Champions League (3-0), fell to third place, three points behind the leader that Inter. Meanwhile, Napoli, fourth, avoided a third home defeat and the almost certain dismissal of Rudi Garcia, although it is seven points behind the head.

The first phase of the match was intense but tactical play by both teams prevented any chances from happening. But Giroud, who had already given a warning moments after the opening whistle, dynamited the match with two goals in a row, both with headers, breaking a drought that started on September 1.

Giroud won the match

Giroud opened the scoring in the 22nd minute with a finish a cross from Christian Pulisic from the right. Goalkeeper Alex Meret handled the ball but lacked the strength to prevent it from reaching the net.

Napoli reacted with pride and managed to equalize with a pass from the death of Khvicha Kvaratskhelia which, somewhat with a heel, was finished. Matteo Politano to the side of the net (26′).

But soon, Milan again took advantage of the right wing, taking advantage of the offensive vocation of Mario Rui and Kvaratskhelia. At this moment the center is from Davide Calabria and Giroud once again won the match against central defender Amir Rrhamani to connect with a header that hit the post and slipped (31′). It was the Frenchman’s sixth goal in the league.

Triple change by Rudi Garcia

The 0-2 left Napoli affected, weakened in their attack through the absence of scorer Victor Osimhen, and Tijani Reijnders made it 0-3 with a shot that hit the crossbar. The fans bid farewell to their players as they retired to the locker room and at half-time asked Rudi Garcia, who at the time was almost condemned, ordered three changes.

The French coach played it giving entry to Gio Simeone of ‘9’ instead of Eljif Elmas in search of a quick goal and he got it. In the 50th minute, Politano got Napoli back into the game by shooting Mike Maignan after stealing young debutant Marco Pellegrino’s wallet, relieving the injured Pierre Kalulu in the first half, and cutting Theo Hernandez.

Raspadori sympathizes between madness

The game has become completely insane. The goal cycled both goals as both teams faltered defensively and fell victim to the rush. in the midst of madness Giacomo Raspadori equalized by taking a free kick with a wonderful hit (62′).

Pioli, who at half-time was surprised to leave the rest of Pulisic in the dugout, He drew the ire of Rafael Leao by replacing him in the 80th minute with Giroud, but the furious exchange of attacks did not cease.

Naples became less when Brazilian center back Natan saw a second yellow for a foul on Luka Romero, but he had one last chance with the boot of Kvaratskhelia, covered by Maignan, to end what would be an epic comeback.

NAPLES

22

MILAN

Naples: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani (Ostigård, 46′), Natan, Mário Rui (Olivera, 46′); Elmas (Gio Simeone, 46′), Lobotka, Zielinski (Zambo Anguissa, 77′); Politano (Zanoli, 83′), Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia
The
Milan: Magnan; Calabria, Kalulu (Pellegrino, 19′), Tomori, Theo Hernández; Musah, Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic (Luka Romero, 46′), Giroud (Jovic, 81′), Rafael Leão (Okafor, 81′)
The
Goals: 0-1 Giroud (22′), 0-2 Giroud (31′), 1-2 Politano (50′), 2-2 Raspadori (63′)

Referee: Daniele Orsato. Red for Natan (53′ and 89′) and yellow for Reijnders (55′), Luka Romero (62′), Di Lorenzo (65′), Musah (78′), Zanoli (86′)

Spectators: 55,000 at the Stadio Diego Maradona

see the match sheet