In-form AC Milan make sure Napoli's woes continue

Theo Hernandez scored the only goal of an engrossing game in the 25th minute at the San Siro, rolling home the winner after collecting a brilliant Rafael Leao pass. Milan stay eight points behind local rivals Inter in third after stretching their unbeaten league streak to nine matches, of which they have won seven.

"We've done really well in the last month or so, we're almost going at Inter's pace, and they're having an incredible season," said Milan coach Stefano Pioli. "Theo has a great understanding with Leao on the left, they know each other so well that they can always find each other."

While Inter may prove too tough to catch, Milan's recent good form has solidified their spot in the division's Champions League spots. Milan are 13 points ahead of Bologna - who thumped Lecce 4-0 and took fifth place from Roma - and are almost certain to grab a spot in Europe's top club competition.

The same cannot be said for Napoli as Walter Mazzarri's side are languishing in ninth, seven points from the top four, after their eighth defeat of a dismal title defence.

February 11, 2024

Napoli in trouble

Napoli are a whopping 25 points behind Inter with the pair having played 23 matches, but more importantly are at serious risk of missing out on the Champions League. Southern Italy's biggest club, who romped to the Scudetto last term, have lost more league matches than they have won since Mazzarri took over from the sacked Rudi Garcia in November.

"I think it (the Champions League) is possible. You saw today the level that we can get to. We've had everything thrown at us recently with injuries and we're getting big players back. We need to be confident that we can get three points off anyone, as we showed with how we played today."

Napoli were far from second best on Sunday and went close to taking the lead early on when Giovanni Simeone shot a great chance just wide. And Milan substitute Jan-Carlo Simic almost handed Napoli a point in the final minute when he diverted Jesper Lindstrom's cross onto the post.

But Napoli created little with the majority of possession and are left with their upcoming Champions League tie with Barcelona as an unlikely source of possible glory in an otherwise disastrous season.