Milan-Napoli: video highlights and highlights of the Sunday evening big-match on February 11, 2024 Serie A, with moviola episodes and report cards.
The big-match of the twenty-fourth day of Serie A is Milan-Napoli: the challenge pits two teams fighting for a place in the Champions League, with Pioli’s Milan currently in third place and Mazzarri’s Napoli far behind, despite more encouraging recent results. Milan is without Reijnders, who is disqualified. Napoli is also missing a man due to disqualification: it’s Mario Rui.
Walter Mazzarri insists from 1′ with the three-man defense by deploying Ostigard, Rrahmani and Juan Jesus. In attack, the only point is Simeone. Behind him the only Kvara. Pioli responds with central Kjaer and Gabbia and Calabria and Theo at full-back. In attack Giroud supported by Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek and Leao.
In the league, the Rossoneri come from eight consecutive games without defeat: there are 6 wins and 2 draws. Napoli regained their courage and regained some enthusiasm after their success over Verona.
Highlights of the challenge
The hosts try to control the game, but the first big chance of the match comes on 10′ for the Parthenopeans: Kvara crosses low from the right, Simeone arrives and shoots first time, not framing the goal. The teams struggle to build interesting storylines. On 25′, however, Milan found the right opening: Leao packed the perfect assist for Theo Hernandez who pierced Gollini. Leao gets on his own and tries a goal from outside: the Napoli goalkeeper clears.
At the start of the second half, the Rossoneri try to close it out with Florenzi from outside the box, with Gollini not holding and Giroud ill-timed to intervene on the loose ball. Milan began to push harder. A diagonal pass from Bennacer ends very wide. Bennacer himself loses the ball and allows Simeone to shoot at 55′: the Argentine is inaccurate.
At 60′ Politano shows up with a shot on the turn, but again the ball ends up far from the goal. Leao eats a goal already made from a comfortable position at 70′. Napoli tries again with Politano and Anguissa, without being able to trouble Maignan. Simic risks an own goal in the 88th minute, but the ball ends up on the post, then Maignan saves.
Table and report cards of Milan-Napoli
MILAN (4-2-3-1) Maignan; Calabria (35′, Florenzi), Kjaer (66′, Simic), Gabbia, Hernandez; Bennacer (66′, Musah), Adli; Pulisic (80′, Jimenez), Loftus-Cheek, Leao; Giroud (80′, Jovic). All. Pioli.
NAPOLI (3-5-1-1) Gollini; Ostigard (45′, Politano), Rrahmani, Juan Jesus (90′, Ngonge); Di Lorenzo, Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski (76′, Lindstrom), Mazzocchi (76′, Olivera); Kvaratskhelia; Simeone (55′. Raspadori). All. Mazzarri.
REFEREE:
MARKERS: 35′, Theo Hernandez;
NOTE: Admonished: 85′, Juan Jesus. 95′, Theo Hernandez. Recovery: 5′
The best player on the field is Theo Hernandez for the goal and for the energy with which he tackles the defensive tasks in Milan’s suffering end (7). The liveliest in Napoli are Kvaratskhelia and Mazzocchi, the former, however, fails to make as big an impact as he could and the latter is little served by his teammates (6.5). Leao starts well although he misses Mazzocchi too many times, then as usual turns on suddenly, alternating good plays with incredible mistakes (5.5).
Florenzi gives Milan security at the back and drive forward (6.5). Loftus-Cheek, on the other hand, disappoints (5.5). Bennacer also messes up several times in setting and disengagement (5.5). Zielinski and Anguissa play poorly, without order and agonism (5). Lindstrom entered well (6.5).
Moviola and highlights of the match
At 49′, Rrhamani pushes Loutus-Cheek in the box. The referee lets it go amid heated protests from the Rossoneri. Napoli also at 75′ asks for a penalty for a hand touch: however, the arm is attached to the body. Again the Azzurri ask for another penalty at 90′, and again for hand touch: the VAR says there is not. Actually on this last episode there are many doubts.
