A solitary late strike from the substitute saw Antonio Conte’s side edge past Milan 1-0 at the Maradona to reclaim second spot.
The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium erupted in the dying embers of the match as Napoli secured a vital victory. In this 31st round encounter, Conte’s men delivered a tactical masterstroke, overcoming Milan by the narrowest of margins to authoritatively consolidate their position in second place.
This triumph was a clear statement of intent. The ‘Azzurri’ have now reduced the deficit to seven points behind leaders Inter, keeping their ‘Scudetto’ ambitions firmly alive. Conversely, the defeat leaves Allegri’s side reeling, now nine points adrift of the summit—a significant disadvantage at this stage of the campaign.
The contest began at a frantic pace, with both sides eschewing the usual early formalities. In the 15th minute, Milan came agonisingly close to the opener when Pavlovic outjumped his marker, only to see his header rattle the post and leave the home crowd breathless. Napoli were unfazed, responding through Spinazzola, who weaved through the defence before unleashing a placed effort that grazed the woodwork.
The duel remained finely poised and full of life. Just before the half-hour mark, Nkunku produced a moment of individual brilliance, creating space in the area before hitting a venomous strike. The ball clipped the post with Maignan rooted to the spot, the keeper merely a spectator as it whistled wide.
The complexion of the game shifted in the second half. Napoli emerged with renewed vigour, sharpening their transitions. Giovane took responsibility, unleashing a long-range thunderbolt that forced a spectacular save from Maignan to keep the scoreline at 0-0.
As the clock ticked down, the intensity began to wane and the play became increasingly fragmented. Clear-cut opportunities were at a premium, and with both goalkeepers largely untested, a draw appeared the inevitable outcome—almost as if a non-aggression pact had been signed ahead of the final whistle.
However, football has a habit of delivering late drama. With just ten minutes remaining, Napoli finally found the breakthrough. Olivera whipped a cross into the box which took a deflection off Athekame, falling perfectly at the back post for Matteo Politano. The forward, having only recently entered the fray, tapped home from close range to beat Maignan and spark scenes of jubilation at the Maradona. It was a decisive goal that secured three points, cemented second place, and sent a direct message to Inter.
