That's all from me, I've been Keeghann Sinanan and it's
been a pleasure!
That will do it here from San Paolo. Napoli move back
to within four points of Lazio in third place, while Milan
stay in the bottom half of the table, and are set for
their worst season in over 20 years. A stern defensive
performance for the Rossoneri was broken quite
emphatically late in the second half.
90' + 2'
LAST-MINUTE SAVE FROM LOPEZ! Mertens curls one
in from a long way out but the keeper, who hasn't put
a finger out of place, tips it around the post.
90'
The intensity has long gone out of this game, with
Napoli's minds having already turned to their Europa
League commitments on Thursday. For Milan, it's
probably the Caribbean or Ibizia for their players, who
need a holiday, but don't necessarily deserve one.
88'
We're seeing the Inzaghi-face on the touchline again, a
mixture of bemusement and resignation without a hint
of joy. The end of the season can't come soon enough
for Milan.
86'
Mertens and Gabbiadini have been two inspired
substitutions by Benitez, as they've helped to change
this game in the home side's favour. They are set to
close the gap on Lazio now with four matches left.
84'
SubstitutionGiacomo BonaventuraGianfilippo Felicioli
84'
SubstitutionDavid LópezSebastiano Luperto
84'
Two changes in the closing stages here, as Luperto
comes on in place of the confident Lopez, while
Bonaventura's evening is at an end, as he has been
swapped out for Felicioli.
82'
Napoli are resting on the laurels of their devastating
six-minute spell, and are sucking the life out of Milan in
the closing stages with a suffocating spell in
possession, making them chase the ball.
80'
Three goals in six minutes, and the San Paolo is
bouncing here as time begins to tick towards the full-
time whistle. Milan want this game to end - sturdy for
so long but it's been an alarming collapse from them in
recent minutes.
78'
Milan's spirit has been crushed here and there's a
shout for a penalty here as Mertens goes tumbling
against Alex. The referee perhaps takes pity on the
Rossoneri, and penalizes Mertens for a dive. The
replays show a late challenge from the Brazilian, even
though the Napoli winger went down under first
contact.
76'
Goal Manolo Gabbiadini
THE GOALS JUST KEEP ON COMING! Ghoulam makes a
great run on the overlap and plays it in for Higuain.
Lopez makes a good save against the Argentine, but
the ball rebounds very kindly for Gabbiadini, who sees
it bounce off him for the third.
75'
That may just be it for Milan. It may now be a matter
of damage limitation. One goal was hard enough, and I
really do not see the fatigued 10 men of the visitors
grabbing two.
74'
Assist Dries Mertens
74'
Goal Gonzalo Higuaín
HIGUAIN BURIES IT! Fabulous from Mertens to catch
up to a ball down the line and hook a cross into the
area. Gabbiadini leaves it alone, and it sits perfectly
for Higuain to take a touch and smash it into the far
side!
73'
Milan need to push forward now but they risk getting
stretched on the break. Had Higuain played a better
pass out wide to Insigne, then Napoli could have had a
three-on-two around the 18-yard area.
72'
How crucial could that be in Napoli's chase for a
Champions League place! Hamsik has picked up a
booking for taking off his shirt, but I highly doubt that
he cared for a second. It's a bit heartbreaking for Milan
who put forth everything defensively, but there's still
time for them to make a stand in attack!
71'
Yellow Card Marek Hamsik
70'
Goal Marek Hamsik
BREAKTHROUGH! NAPOLI HAVE THE LEAD! A captain's
contribution from Hamsik, who latches onto a loose
ball just inside the box and lashes a clinical effort
inside the near post via the woodwork!
69'
SubstitutionLorenzo InsigneDries Mertens
68'
A teasing cross into the area is nearly met by
Gabbiadini, but once again the chance goes begging.
The substitute felt that he was impeded in the buildup
to that opening, but the referee isn't interested in his
two cents.
66'
Albiol has been solid at the back for the hosts,
snuffing out attacks before they've been given a
chance to gather a head of steam. However, this time
he goes too far, picking up a yellow card for bringing
down Honda.
65'
Yellow Card Raúl Albiol
64'
There needs to be more urgency from Napoli. Lest we
forget, they need to win unless they fancy a six-point
gap to make up on Lazio, with four games remaining in
the season after the conclusion of this one.
62'
Napoli are throwing everything at Milan here but the
Rossoneri are standing firm. Less than half an hour to
go now and Inzaghi's team must be starting to believe
that they can grind out this result.
61'
SubstitutionSalvatore BocchettiDaniele Bonera
60'
OFF THE BASE OF THE POST! The best chance of the
game from open play for the home side. Callejon
squeezes the ball in for Hansik after a quick shift from
left to right, but the Slovakian's low finish clatters into
the woodwork on the far side!
58'
It's been all Napoli in this half, and they're starting to
create a little more than they did in the first half. The
reaction of the fans is very interesting - a mixture of
frenzy and frustration.
57'
SubstitutionMattia DestroGiampaolo Pazzini
56'
It's starting to click for Napoli, who have created some
openings since the resumption of the match. Their end
product hasn't turned up yet though, which is slowly
becoming a concern.
55'
SubstitutionJorginhoManolo Gabbiadini
54'
THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE THAN IT WAS!
Insigne plays a fantastic ball that splits the defence,
and frees Callejon at the near post. The Spaniard opts
to cut it back instead of having a shot from the angle,
but his pass is behind Higuain!
52'
Insigne was found by Callejon on the overlap, and the
pint-sized attacker attempts a cross. It was probably
heading out of play anyway, but a rather hesitant
diving block from Lopez sends it out for a corner
instead of a goal kick.
50'
Paletta gets dragged out wide to deal with a run from
Higuain, but the Argentine manages to squeeze a cross
into the six-yard area. However, a combination of
Lopez and Alex prevent the ball from reaching a
teammate.
48'
Milan coughed up an opportunity at the start of the
first half and they've nearly done the same here.
Higuain pounces on a turnover and feeds Callejon at
the back post, but the wide man can't get his shot
past the body of Alex.
46'
Here we go again!
And that will do it from San Paolo for now. Milan
survived a first-minute red card to De Sciglio and the
concession of a penalty to enter the break all square.
Lopez saved Higuain's spot-kick but from there, the
Partenopei were unable to push home their numerical
advantage in the manner that you might expect.
There's still all to play for in the second half, so do
stay tuned.
45'
JUST WIDE! Chances abound in the closing minutes of
the half, and Hamsik comes close with a stinger from
20 yards that flashes narrowly wide of the post! Lopez
looked relieved.
43'
OFF THE WOODWORK! Destro clips in a fabulous
inswinging cross into the area, which Bonaventura
attacks with a leaping header. He caught it well, and is
unlucky to see the ball rebound off the frame of the
goal with Andujar rooted to the spot!
41'
Paletta is having quite a sensational game in the back
four for Milan, as he slides in to stop a dangerous
overlap from Callejon that would have put the Spaniard
clear to the byline inside the box.
39'
Milan advance the ball out of their own half for the first
time in eons, as Bonaventura dances past his marker
and spreads a ball down the line for Destro. The striker
tries to deceive Maggio, but he's not having it.
37'
Jorginho lobs a pass over the top of the defence for
Higuain to latch onto, and the striker takes it down
well with his initial touch. However, Paletta is on him
like a homing missile, and clears the ball out before he
can set himself up for a shot.
35'
Benitez will want a breakthrough before half-time, but I
doubt that it will change his team talk much. Simply
put, there needs to be more intensity from the
Partenopei. They're making it too easy for Milan.
33'
The frustration is certainly building in the stadium. The
fans accepted the patient, probing play initially, but it
has not resulted in the manufacture of any gilt-edged
gaps around the penalty area.
31'
Milan are taking their sweet time every time that one of
their players gets fouled. It allows them the
opportunity to reorganize their defensive and midfield
ranks, as well as forcing a retreat from the Napoli
players.
29'
Poli is the man that has shifted over to right-back to
compensate for the absence of De Sciglio, and Napoli
would do well to isolate Insigne against him more
often. It's worked out well for them so far.
27'
Inzaghi has to be pleased with the progression of this
game so far. His side have found a way to stymie
Napoli with 10 men, and have even created a few half-
chances of their own.
25'
The energy is being sucked out of this game at the
moment, which is quite sobering given the explosive
start that we had. Napoli are monopolizing the ball, but
not creating as much with it as they should.
23'
Insigne tries a training-ground move, lofting the ball to
the unmarked Maggio who was making an overlapping
ball down the right, but the pass had too much
mustard on it for the full-back to feast.
21'
Insigne is taken out on the edge of the area after a
challenge from Poli. No booking, and it's probably at
too much of an angle to have a direct shot, but there's
still danger to be faced as Insigne prepares to swing
this one into the penalty area.
19'
Little pockets of restlessness in the stands as Napoli
play it patiently, waiting for the right opening to strike.
It's clear that they want a return to the momentum
that characterized the opening minutes of this contest.
17'
Bonaventura has gone down after landing awkwardly,
and he'll need to be treated. It appears that he'll be
back with us shortly. Milan certainly could do without
another injury headache! Inzaghi's men are limping to
the finish line.
15'
Bonaventura stings the palms of Andujar with a
rasping drive from at least 20 yards, but the keeper
manages to keep it in his grasp. The Rossoneri seem
to be coping well with their numerical disadvantage in
recent minutes.
13'
Milan's turn to work a spell on the ball, but they're
struggling to advance possession out of the middle
third of the field. It's to be expected, and Milan may
want to be extra ruthless if they get any promising set-
piece chances.
11'
Napoli have to be moving the ball a lot quicker than
this. They're allowing Milan to overload on the side of
the pitch where possession is being held, which is
forcing a lot of sideways and backwards passing.
9'
Encouraging foray forward for Milan as Honda pounces
on a turnover and strides into the 18-yard area. He
eschews a shot, perhaps unwisely, as his square pass
to Destro is easily intercepted.
7'
As you would expect, Napoli have enjoyed almost
uninterrupted dominance of possession since Milan
went a man down. They will want to take advantage of
this control soon though.
5'
Incredible scenes here in San Paolo! Milan seemed set
for a historically egregious start to a game, but Lopez
prevented them from going a goal and a man down!
Still a clear advantage for Napoli for the other 85
minutes of this contest though, even with Higuain's
miss.
3'
Missed Penalty Gonzalo Higuaín
3'
Penalty save Diego López Rodríguez
SAVED BY LOPEZ! Higuain stood on the spot for over
two minutes, and that seemed to affect his focus. He
hit it to the keeper's right, but the Spaniard guessed
correctly and pushes it wide!
1'
Red Card Mattia De Sciglio
PENALTY! ALREADY! AND A RED CARD! De Sciglio has
been given his marching orders after going late on
Hamsik inside the six-yard area. Denial of a clear
goalscoring opportunity and a nightmare start for the
Rossoneri!
1'
Off we go!
Jeremy Menez will not start tonight, with his spot at
the tip of the Rossoneri attack taken by Mattia Destro.
Three out of the back four have been swapped by
Pippo, as Alex, Salvatore Bocchetti and Gabriel Paletta
all step in for Ignazio Abate, Philippe Mexes and Adil
Rami. Andrea Poli will also man the midfield three, with
Alessio Cerci sitting out.
It's a new midfield base for Napoli following the Empoli
loss, with Jorginho and David Lopez replacing Gokhan
Inler and Walter Gargano. Lorenzo Insigne comes in for
Dries Mertens on the left side of the attacking midfield
three, with Gonzalo Higuain leading the line.
Milan (4-3-3): Lopez; De Sciglio, Alex, Paletta,
Bocchetti; Poli, De Jong, Van Ginkel; Honda, Destro,
Bonaventura.
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos,
Ghoulam; Jorginho, Lopez; Callejon, Hamsik, Insigne;
Higuain.
