By Michelle Ndaga
AC Milan edged Napoli 2-1 in a tightly contested Serie A clash at the San Siro on Sunday, propelling the Rossoneri to the top of the table with 12 points from five matches.
The win marks Massimiliano Allegri’s fifth consecutive victory since returning to Milan’s dugout.
American star Christian Pulisic delivered a standout performance, earning Player of the Match honors after scoring Milan’s second goal and assisting Alexis Saelemaekers’ opener.
Veteran Luka Modrić orchestrated play in midfield, controlling possession and tempo, even as Napoli mounted a late surge.
Napoli’s hopes of a comeback were dealt a blow when Piero Estupiñán was shown a red card in the 70th minute for a reckless challenge.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Napoli pulled one back through a Kevin De Bruyne penalty. However, the Belgian playmaker expressed visible frustration after being substituted, a moment addressed by manager Antonio Conte, who emphasized in his post-match interview that “the team comes before individual emotions.”
The result pushes Milan to the summit of Serie A, continuing their strong early-season form, while Napoli is left to regroup after a difficult away loss.
Milan will next face Roma in a high-stakes encounter, as the title race begins to take early shape.
