Key Takeaways:
- Milan secured a 2:1 victory over Napoli in the derby of the fifth Serie A round
- The hosts moved to the top of Serie A with their fourth consecutive win last night
- Napoli suffered their first league defeat of the season under Antonio Conte
Match Analysis
AC Milan celebrated a crucial 2:1 home win against reigning champions Napoli in the headline fixture of Serie A’s fifth round. The Rossoneri made the breakthrough almost instantly, as Alexis Saelemaekers opened the scoring in the third minute after a dazzling run and pass from Christian Pulisic. Saelemaekers’ effort not only put the hosts ahead but also set the record for the fastest goal in this Serie A campaign.
Milan doubled their advantage in the 31st minute. Strahinja Pavlovic surged down the left and sent a sharp cross towards Youssouf Fofana. The midfielder’s deft touch rolled perfectly for Pulisic, who finished clinically for a 2:0 lead. Despite intense spells from Napoli, and calls for a penalty as Anguissa went down under Luka Modric’s challenge, referee Daniele Chiffi waved play on after review.
Vittoria pesante per il @acmilan!!! 🔥✅#MilanNapoli pic.twitter.com/s5moHCBkoE
— Lega Serie A (@SerieA) September 28, 2025
First Half: Early Control and Missed Opportunities
Following Milan’s blistering start, Napoli responded by taking charge and forcing the hosts deep. Scott McTominay saw a tenth-minute shot stopped by Mike Maignan, and further pressure nearly drew reward when Anguissa’s penalty appeal was denied. At the other end, Fofana squandered a clear opening by firing over with only Alex Meret to beat. Moments before the break, Politano crossed dangerously but Tomori intervened to prevent McTominay from connecting, and VAR was again unmoved by Napoli’s penalty protest. Di Lorenzo and Anguissa threatened, but neither could beat Maignan before the half-time whistle.
Second Half: Drama Unfolds After Red Card
Napoli emerged from the break with renewed intent, pressing Milan in search of a route back. In the 57th minute, Scott McTominay and Anguissa collided contesting a right-wing cross, and following a rebound, Di Lorenzo pounced. He was fouled by Pervis Estupiñán, resulting in a penalty. Initially shown a yellow card, Estupiñán saw his caution upgraded to red after a VAR review. Kevin De Bruyne confidently converted the spot-kick on the hour to reduce the deficit to 2:1.
In a tactical move shortly before the penalty, Milan manager Massimiliano Allegri substituted Christian Pulisic, who had already contributed a goal and an assist, introducing Davide Bartesaghi. Just after, Rafael Leão returned from injury to make his first Serie A appearance of the season in the 68th minute. Antonio Conte, seeking a late turnaround, made a triple substitution twenty minutes from full-time, bringing on David Neres, Lorenzo Lucca, and Eljif Elmas.
Napoli Rally Falls Short
The visitors continued their assault on Milan’s area, with Di Lorenzo heading wide from a cross in the 75th minute. Several dangerous deliveries kept the home defence under pressure, but Maignan and his back-line stood firm. Noa Lang tested the goalkeeper in the 88th minute before David Neres struck the post in stoppage time. Despite sustained late efforts, Napoli were unable to find an equaliser.
Table and Statistical Overview
| Team | Goals | Current League Position | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | 2 (Saelemaekers 3′, Pulisic 31′) | 1st | Massimiliano Allegri |
| Napoli | 1 (De Bruyne 60′ pen.) | 2nd | Antonio Conte |
Implications for the Title Race
This result lifted Milan to the top of Serie A, overtaking Napoli, who slipped into second place. The narrow margin between the two teams sets the stage for a competitive title race, with Milan’s victory established by just a single goal difference. Napoli’s unbeaten run under Antonio Conte came to an end, leaving both sides motivated for the fixtures ahead.
