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Milan started the match fairly promising until a hellgate opened in Naples and consumed everything.
Early on, Niang put in a stellar pass only for Abate to blaze a certain goal over the bar. This was followed up by the ball actually ending up in Napoli’s net following a classy backheel from Chelsea target, Romagnoli.
He was offside, such is life as a Milan fan.
That’s when things fell apart, a wicked lashout shot from Napoli’s Mertens struck the post and fell to Arkadiusz Milik who couldn’t not score, despite trying his best not to put it in. You have to feel sorry for Milan’s defence, who couldn’t do a thing.
Not long after, Dries Mertens did it again. A vicious shot from the corner of the box, but this time Donnarumma claimed it with an incredible save. I may as well copy and paste this paragraph, because before Napoli eventually scored, Donnarumma pulled off another amazing save to deny the Belgian.
Yeah, Napoli scored again - with a Arkadiusz Milik header. That’s just the two then, before half-time. The sad thing about this? Napoli weren’t amazing, Milan just gave them the game.
Things would change in the 50th minute, as M’Baye Niang emulated an NFL running back and strong armed Napoli’s fullback before burying the ball beyond Pepe Reina. Somehow, Milan found a way back into the game at 2-1.
Niang https://t.co/rPpP69AYtu
— Sellvio Berlu$coni (@Pure_Milanista) August 27, 2016
What a strike? Right? Well Suso would have something to say about that, not five minutes later as he stunned Napoli with a 20 yard shot into the roof of the net. 2-2 out of absolute nowhere.
— Sellvio Berlu$coni (@Pure_Milanista) August 27, 2016
Dreams would fall apart as Callejon poached a rebound from yet another excellent Donnarumma save before Milan's Kucka was sent off in the 75th minute followed by Niang in the 85th minute.
In a moment of madness, as the ball was rolling into the net, Romagnoli handballed to save the ball from the goal. He should of been sent off, but in a sporting moment the referee chose not to award a red card or a penalty and simply booked Romagnoli and awarded Milan the goal.
4-2.
The ability is there for Milan to succeed, but their mentality and temperament is holding them back. They stunned Napoli but failed to deliver a knockout blow and ended up finishing the match with nine men. Montella will need to increase the discipline of this team if he wants anything from them.