Napoli defeated AC Milan 1-0 on matchday 31st of the 2025/26 Serie A season at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Monday.

In the first half, shots from players of both sides went wide of the post. In the second half, De Bruyne's shot from a difficult angle was saved, while Politano followed up to score. Ultimately, Napoli won 1-0 against AC Milan. After this round of matches, I Partenopei, with five consecutive wins, temporarily rises to second place on the table with 65 points, seven points behind league leaders Inter Milan; I Rossoneri meanwhile, are currently in third place, with 63 points.

First Half

In the 13th minute, AC Milan had a free-kick opportunity. Davide Bartesaghi took the free-kick from outside the penalty area by crossing it into the box. Strahinja Pavlović rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort just wide of the bottom right corner of the post.

9 minutes later, Stranislav Lobotka passes horizontally from the left wing. Leonardo Spinazzola quickly followed up, got the ball, cuts into the left side of the box before volleying with his right foot, but his shot went wide of the top right corner of the crossbar.

In the 35th minute, AC Milan launched a quick counter-attack. Youssouf Fofana intercepted the ball and passes horizontally from near the midfield center circle. Christopher Nkunku quickly followed up, got the ball and cuts into the left side of the box before volleying with his left foot, but his shot went wide of the top left corner of the post.

At halftime, Napoli and AC Milan were temporarily tied at 0-0.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 50th minute, Kevin De Bruyne delivered a precise low diagonal pass from his own back half. After beating the offside trap, Giovane quickly followed up, got the ball, cuts inside and took a few steps before taking a left-footed long shot from outside the penalty area, but his shot was saved by Mike Maignan.

Four 4 minutes later, Spinazzola made a straight pass down the left flank, Kevin De Bruyne quickly followed up, got the ball and took a few steps before volleying with his left foot shot from a difficult angle at a very close distance inside the box, but his shot was saved by Maignan.

In the 79th minute, Mathias Oliveira crossed from the left side of the box. His pass was initinally headed and cleared off not far away by Koni de Winter. Matteo Politano quickly followed up, and upon picking up the loose ball, slotted it into the bottom right corner of the net from a difficult angle at a very close distance inside the box, breaking the deadlock and giving Napoli a 1-0 lead! The Italy international right winger finally broke his month-long goal drought!

Six minutes later, Zachary Athekame crossed into the box from the right flank. Santiago Giménez rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort went just slightly over the crossbar.

When the final whistle is blown, Napoli defeated AC Milan by 1-0.

Image source: Internet / Sky Sports Italia