Napoli 1-1 AC Milan: Stubborn Rossoneri Hold Frustrated Partenopei

Date: 22nd February 2016 at 10:59pm
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abate honda insigne napoli milanNapoli drew 1-1 with AC Milan at the Stadio San Paolo on Monday night.

The Neapolitans dominated the first-half and their better start was rewarded in the 39th minute through Lorenzo Insgine’s deflected strike. Yet, just a minute before the interval, Giacomo Bonaventura equalised for the Rossoneri.

The second-half continued in the same vein as the opening 45 minutes, with Napoli in control, but they failed to find the winning goal.

Despite the game starting at a frantic pace, it took until the 19th minute for either side to create a goalscoring chance. Allan slipped in Gonzalo Higuain in behind the Milan defence, but the Argentine’s effort was blocked superbly by Cristian Zapata.

Napoli were in complete control and six minutes before half-time the Partenopei’s attacking frustration was ended. Insigne’s deflected shot nestled in the bottom corner of the net, due to some suspect positioning from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, Napoli’s lead lasted just five minutes. Keisuke Honda’s in-swinging cross was flicked on by Kalidou Koulibaly and into the path of an unmarked Bonaventura, who he silenced the San Paolo with his assured finish.

After the interval, the Neapolitans continued to be in the ascendancy for the majority of second-half, yet, it took Napoli 20 minutes to craft a decent goalscoring opportunity.

Following a free-kick Marek Hamsik spread the ball out wide to Elseid Hysaj, who pulled the ball back to an unmarked Dries Mertens whose scuffed effort was halted by the post.

In the 81st minute, as the Partenopei ramped up the pressure, Faouzi Ghoulam whipped in a cross for Higuain, but on the volley Serie A’s top goalscorer drove his attempt narrowly wide.

In stoppage time Hysaj’s cross deflected into the path of Omar El Kaddouri, but the midfielder’s effort as straight at Donnarumma.

The result keeps Napoli a point behind Juventus in first place, whereas the Rossoneri stay sixth in the table.

 

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