(Football news) AC Milan’s talisman Rafael Leao scored twice to give his side a 4-0 away victory over Napoli in Serie A on Sunday, as Stefano Pioli’s side moved up to third place in the standings. Milan are on 51 points which is one ahead of fourth-placed Intern who are four behind second-placed Lazio while Napoli even after the embarrassing loss to AC Milan they are still 20 points clear at the top.
The match was the first of three clashes between the clubs as they will also play against each other in the Champions League quarter finals. AC Milan started off the match on the front foot as they went ahead after 17 minutes when Brahim Diaz sent a perfect through ball to Leao, who delightfully chipped it over Alex Meret. Napoli are aiming for their first Serie A title since 1989-90, after they were runners-up four times since 2013. Although Napoli were still without Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen as they rarely threatened to reduce the deficit.
Diaz went on to double the lead eight minutes later as he received a cross inside the box and sold a brilliant dummy that left Mario Rui stranded and sent the ball into the goal with a deflection. Milan put the final nail in the coffin 14 minutes into the second half when Leao ran past three Napoli defenders and unleashed a powerful shot in the top corner.
Alexis Saelemaekers then went on to score a fourth goal in the 67th minute with yet another solo effort where he went past four defenders before expertly putting the ball through Meret’s legs. The result meant that Napoli for the first time 22 years have lost by 4 or more goals in the league.
“This is only the first step. There are another nine Serie A games where we must have the same attitude, because we threw away opportunities in the past and cannot do it again. This is a fine win, but it is only one match,” Pioli .
“Whatever the result was going to be this evening, it would not affect the Champions League, as that will be a different experience, atmosphere and everything. It will allow us to study this match and see where we did well or could’ve done better,” Pioli added.
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