Inter won't sleep calmly: Napoli beat Milan to continue the pursuit

When you concede after 63 seconds, make the first attempt on target in the 64th minute, and - on top of everything - miss a penalty, how can you expect to win? That happened to AC Milan today, and Sergio Conceicao's team didn't stand a chance against Napoli.

The Neapolitans scored the opener at the beginning of the second minute over Matteo Politano, while Romelu Lukaku doubled the lead 17 minutes later, netting his 400th career goal.

Already at that point, it was clear that the cat-and-mouse game between Napoli and Inter would continue, as well as that the Rossoneri would be even farther away from spots that lead to Europe next season.

Milan were indeed better in the second half after Rafael Leao got the chance from the bench (Why not before? Ask Conceicao), Santiago Gimenez missed a spot kick, Luka Jovic netted from the bench, but the Rossoneri's overall performance was too poor to jeopardize Napoli's victory - 2-1.

Already after 63 seconds, it was clear which of the two sides was more focused and keen on winning, as Napoli broke the deadlock over Matteo Politano, exploiting a poor reaction from Milan's defence.

Yet, as if Antonio Conte's team felt the visitors' vulnerability, they kept adding the pressure until the Rossoneri fell again - this time in the 20th minute when Romelu Lukaku doubled the Neapolitans' lead.

Inter barely survive the Zebras' stampede

Considering the stats, the rivals were pretty equal regarding possession, shots, and corners, but attempts on target were a whole other story, as Napoli noted three, and Milan had none. In the end, it made a significant difference before the break.

Aware that his team desperately needed a goal as soon as possible, Sergio Conceicao subbed in Rafael Leao - whom he had surprisingly benched - for the 21-year-old Warren Bondo, who had recently joined from Monza for €10 million. Only nine minutes later, the Portuguese gaffer sent in Samuel Chukwueze and Santiago Gimenez as well, throwing all of his resources into attack.

That approach turned out to be fruitful, as the Rossoneri got a chance to close the gap from the spot, after Philip Billing's tackle on Theo Hernandez. Yet, Gimenez took it poorly, as Alex Meret stopped his effort, giving Napoli another confidence boost.

Still, the crowd at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona unexpectedly got an exciting finish after the last ace up Conceicao's sleeve, Luka Jovic, reduced the gap in the 84th minute to Hernandez's assist. Yet, it wasn't enough to avoid defeat. Napoli will continue their title race with Inter sitting three points behind, while Milan are now five points from spots that guarantee European competitions and as many as nine points from the UCL places.

SERIE A - MATCHDAY 30

Saturday

Como - Empoli 1-1 (0-0)

/Douvikas 61 - Kouame 75/

Venezia - Bologna 0-1 (0-0)

/Orsolini 49/

Juventus - Genoa 1-0 (1-0)

/Yildiz 26/

Lecce - Roma 0-1 (0-0)

/Dovbyk 80/

Sunday

Cagliari - Monza 3-0 (0-0)

/Viola 49, Gaetano 73, Luvumbo 90+2/

Fiorentina - Atalanta 1-0 (1-0)

/Kean 45/

Inter - Udinese 2-1 (2-0)

/Arnautovic 12, Frattesi 29 - Solet 71/

Napoli - Milan 2-1 (2-0)

/Politano 2, Lukaku 19 - Jovic 84/

Monday

19.30: (2.40) Verona (3.25) Parma (3.30)

21.45: (1.80) Lazio (3.60) Torino (5.10)

***odds are subject to change***