Napoli's hopes for the Scudetto remain alive as they secured a crucial 2-1 victory over AC Milan at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium on March 31, 2025. The win keeps the Azzurri just three points behind league leaders Inter, who continue to hold a narrow advantage in the Serie A title race.
Matteo Politano opened the scoring for Napoli in spectacular fashion, finding the back of the net just over a minute into the match. The quick goal, launched from a deep pass by Giovanni Di Lorenzo, saw Politano capitalize on a defensive mix-up between Milan's Theo Hernández and Pavlovic, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Mike Maignan with a precise left-footed shot. This moment marked one of the fastest goals in Napoli's history, showcasing their attacking intent right from the start.
Romelu Lukaku doubled Napoli's lead in the 19th minute, scoring his 400th career goal. After receiving a pass from Billy Gilmour in the penalty area, Lukaku managed to find the net despite a crowded defense, demonstrating his poacher's instinct and cementing his status as a key player for the Azzurri. With this goal, Lukaku became the first Napoli player to score in both league encounters against Milan this season since José Callejón in the 2016/17 campaign.
Despite Napoli's dominant first half, the second half saw a resurgence from Milan. Their response was ignited by the introduction of several substitutes, including Rafael Leão and Luka Jovic, who sought to change the momentum of the match. However, Milan's attempts were stymied when Napoli's goalkeeper, Alex Meret, made a crucial save by denying a penalty from Gimenez in the 69th minute, further solidifying Napoli's lead.
As the match approached its conclusion, Jovic managed to score for Milan in the 84th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. His goal came from a low cross by Hernández, and although it sparked a late flurry of attacks from the Rossoneri, Napoli held their ground and secured the three points.
After the match, Napoli's head coach, Antonio Conte, expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly in the first half. "We played a very good first half, dominating the game," he said. Conte acknowledged the challenges faced during the match, citing the last-minute injury of Scott McTominay, which forced him to adjust his tactical approach. "It was a tiring day, and I had to make quick decisions due to player availability. But I’m happy with the result," he added.
Conte also reflected on the broader implications of the victory, noting, "We are eight months into our work, and it would be crazy not to believe in something extraordinary. We must focus on the present and manage the upcoming matches well, especially with Bologna next on our schedule." His optimism was palpable, highlighting the team's commitment to pushing for the Scudetto.
On the other hand, Milan's coach, Sergio Conceicao, had a different perspective on the match. He pointed out that despite the loss, there were opportunities for his team to have achieved a better result. "We could have done much more. The first ball they put forward, they scored. We didn’t play as we had prepared in the first 20 minutes," he stated. Conceicao emphasized the need for his players to take responsibility and maintain the right attitude moving forward.
Conceicao also detailed the challenges his squad faced leading up to the match, including illness and injuries that affected key players. "Loftus was sick and went to the hospital, Thiaw couldn’t play due to gastrointestinal issues, and Lion felt tired. These are not excuses, but we could have performed better," he remarked, acknowledging the potential within his team.
The match showcased not only Napoli's determination but also the resilience of AC Milan, who fought until the end. Jovic's late goal nearly set the stage for a dramatic equalizer, as he came close to scoring again in stoppage time. However, Napoli's defense held firm to secure the victory.
With this win, Napoli remains firmly in the title race, and as they look ahead, the focus will be on recovering players and maintaining their momentum. The Azzurri have shown they can compete with the best, and as Conte stated, the aim is to keep pushing in the final stretch of the season.
As the Serie A season progresses, every match counts, and Napoli's victory over Milan serves as a reminder of their capabilities and aspirations. With eight games remaining, the excitement continues to build as they chase their Scudetto dreams, while Milan will need to regroup and refocus as they contend for a Champions League spot.
