Napoli tightened their grip on second place in the Serie A standings with a hard-fought victory over AC Milan, keeping the pressure on league leaders Inter.

The first half unfolded as a finely balanced contest. Leonardo Spinazzola came close with a powerful effort from distance, while Christopher Nkunku squandered a golden one-on-one opportunity that could have shifted the momentum in Milan’s favour.

After the break, Mike Maignan underlined his importance for AC Milan, producing a series of crucial saves to deny efforts from Giovane and Kevin De Bruyne. It was a spell that kept the visitors alive—but only just.

The decisive moment arrived late on. Following a teasing delivery from Mathías Olivera, a defensive clearance fell kindly for Matteo Politano, who showed sharp instincts to fire home from a tight angle and send the home crowd into raptures.

2025-26, Italy - Serie A

Napoli - AC Milan 1:0 (0:0)
Goals: Politano, 79 (1:0)

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic V.; Gutiérrez M.; Buongiorno; Juan Jesus (Beukema, 85); Olivera M.; McTominay; De Bruyne (Elmas, 85); Spinazzola (Politano, 74); Lobotka; Zambo Anguissa André-Frank; Giovane (Santos A., 70)
Substitution: Santos A. (from 70); Politano (from 74); Beukema (from 85); Elmas (from 85)
Bench: Meret; Contini N.; Mazzocchi; Gilmour B.
Yellow Cards: Buongiorno 12; Politano 81

AC Milan: Maignan; De Winter K.; Tomori (Loftus-Cheek, 82); Pavlović S.; Bartesaghi; Fofana Y. (Rafael Leão, 82); Rabiot; Modric; Nkunku (Pulisic, 74); Saelemaekers (Athekame, 62); Fuellkrug (Gimenez S., 63)
Substitution: Athekame (from 62); Gimenez S. (from 63); Pulisic (from 74); Loftus-Cheek (from 82); Rafael Leão (from 82)
Bench: Terracciano; Torriani; Estupiñán; Odogu; Ricci S.; Jashari A.