Napoli travelled to the San Siro for the biggest test of their 100% start in Serie A to date, a clash with fellow Champions League contenders AC Milan.
Rafael Benitez's side made a terrific start and were ahead inside six minutes, with Miguel Britos heading home from close range.
Gonzalo Higuain doubled their advantage early in the second half, with Mario Balotelli spurning a glorious chance to reduce the deficit soon after as he missed the first penalty of his career.
Balotelli eventually got on the scoresheet in stoppage time, but Napoli held on to record their first win at the San Siro since 1986.
Look back at an action-packed clash between Italian heavyweights with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute commentary below.
Good evening Calcio fans. Thanks for sticking with Sports Mole for all your European football needs this weekend, let's hope we've saved the best till last tonight as Serie A heavyweights Napoli and AC Milan clash at the San Siro.
Tonight's clash is a chance for both sides to prove that they can provide a serious challenge to Juventus this season. Napoli have made a sensational start to life under Rafael Benitez, but will get the sternest test of their credentials to date against Milan.
Napoli have recorded four successive wins in all competitions, with the likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Pepe Reina filling in seamlessly to Benitez's plans. Wednesday's win over Dortmund was heralded as a real breakthrough for the Azzurri, but can they use that form to end a wretched record at the San Siro tonight?
Milan are currently weathering a debilitating injury crisis early in the campaign, with nine players ruled out again this evening including big summer signing Kaka. Massimiliano Allegri's men scraped past Celtic to start their Champions League campaign with a win in midweek, but will definitely to need to raise their game to earn a positive result against Napoli.
Allegri has decided to change formation to accommodate his top-heavy squad this season, which looks light on defenders but bristling with options in attack. Milan have looked slightly disjointed though in a 4-3-1-2 system, with a lack of width leaving Mario Balotelli isolated all too often in recent weeks.
BREAKING TEAM NEWS! We have just received word on the starting lineups from the San Siro and Milan have received a welcome boost ahead of kickoff, with Ignazio Abate passed fit to return at full-back. A look at both starting XI's will follow in just a few moments.
MILAN XI: Abbiati, Abate, Zapata, Mexes, Emanuelson, Poli, De Jong, Muntari, Birsa, Matri, Balotelli
NAPOLI XI: Reina, Mesto, Albiol, Britos, Zuniga, Dzemaili, Behrami, Insigne, Hamsik, Callejon Higuain
Allegri has made three changes in total this evening, with Abate and Andrea Pirlo recalled after passing late fitness tests. Urby Emanuelson also comes in for Kevin Constant at full-back, with Vlater Birsa continuing behind Balotelli and Alessandro Matri in attack.
Benitez has also decided to make two changes following Napoli's midweek exertions. Blerim Dzemaili replaces countrymen Gokhan Inler in midfield, while Giandomenico Mesto takes Christian Maggio's place at full-back.
PREDICTION! With the two teams due out imminently at the San Siro there is just time for me to confidently predict goals this evening, with Napoli in fine form and Milan picking Matri and Balotelli in attack. I'm going to go for Napoli to end their 27-year jinx at the San Siro, with Higuain more than capable of netting in a 2-1 away win.
We are slightly late getting underway at the San Siro, still no sign of either side leaving the tunnel. Hopefully good things come to those who wait!
At long last Abbiati and Hamsik exchange pendants and pre-match pleasantries, we are ready to get this clash of Serie A contenders underway!
Milan take the kickoff shooting from left to right. Napoli start this as favourites with the bookies but can they make it five wins from five in all competitions? We are about to find out!
Napoli make an early break and Hamsik really should have done so much better. From 30 yards the playmaker shanks a shot wide, but had Higuain ahead in space just inside the penalty area. A very open start to the match!
CHANCE! The visitors break clear again and waste a golden opportunity through Behrami. The midfielder burst past De Jong to meet a wonderful diagonal pass from Insigne, but from eight yards could not keep his volley from flying high over the crossbar.
MISS! Another incredible chance goes begging for Napoli, the hosts look a shambles defensively in the early going. Zapata gifts the ball to Higuain just outside the area, with the forward cutting inside before shifting a low shot just beyond the far corner.
GOAL! Milan 0-1 Napoli (Britos)
Napoli are ahead and it's fully deserved even at this early stage. Milan pat the price for slack marking from a free kick, with Albiol given time to flick across the penalty area with an inviting header. His defensive colleague Britos is stood free and from six yards makes no mistakes, breaking the deadlock from close range. What an incredible start from Benitez's side.
Finally some signs of life from Milan as Balotelli gets some space just outside the penalty area, forcing Reina to make a save low at his near post with a sweetly-struck effort. Birsa goes in for the rebound and throws himself over, with the Slovenian very fortunate not to be cautioned for diving.
Reina confidently leaves Balotelli's free kick from range as it swirls past the bottom corner, with Milan showing some intent in the final third after a poor start.
Chances galore in the frenetic opening as Hamsik heads wide for th visitors, with his effort tacking a deflection off Zapata for a corner kick. From the corner Insigne sends a cross out on the full, with Higuain's appeals for a shirt-pull against Poli waved away.
Britos stretches brilliantly to head a long ball back to Reina, an interception which looks all the more important with Birsa lurking just behind. At the other end Callejon drifts past Muntari with a quick change of pace, but can only direct his cross behind Abbiati's near post.
Muntari gets audible jeers from the home crowd after smashing a speculative drive wide from all of 40 yards. Balotelli is then told to get to his feet after going down under a fair challenge from Behrami, as the hosts search for a way back into the match.
Matri steps over Abate's curling cross believing that he has support at the far post, but Britos is all alone and can clear easily. Milan are soon pressing forward again as Birsa chips inside, with Matri's downward header caught comfortably by Reina.
Insigne attempts to isolate Abate with a dart down the flank, but the full-back has more than enough pace to cover across and clear. Milan are just starting to control possession, but still look vulnerable on the counter.
Napoli scramble clear after Birsa's quick turn and volley is blocked away by Albiol. Napoli clear long in search of Higuain, who just loses out to Zapata in a footrace. This game is still alarmingly open!
Poli turns neatly and manages to find Matri with a pass just outside the penalty area, but his backheel evades Balotelli's dart into the box. Milan recycle possession and find Abate out wide, with his cross turned behind by Reina, who was taking no chances at his near post.
Balotelli manages to wriggle free in the box to meet an inviting corner kick, but appears off-balance and blazes a volley high over the crossbar. You expect better the from Milan's talisman from there.
The flag is up against Muntari as he attempts to meet an intelligent flick from Matri towards the six-yard box. At the other end Milan continue to ride their luck with a high line, as Higuian fails to pick out either Insigne or Callejon at the far post.
Milan are slightly unlucky to have a strong penalty appeal turned away, with Zuniga getting away with a clumsy barge into Poli at the far post. The hosts have to settle for a corner kick, but when the cross comes in Balotelli's attempt at an acrobatic overhead kick only meets Albiol's head, forcing a break in play for treatment.
Muntari concedes a free kick in his own half after tripping Behrami, with the official warning him that one more foul will see him cautioned. Milan are able to clear the cross but play is once again halted as Balotelli can receive treatment, with the forward clearly struggling with a knee problem.
Balotelli is back on the pitch for now but moving rather gingerly, as we approach two minutes of added time.
HALF TIME Milan 0-1 Napoli
Well the first period has gone with the form book as Napoli take a slender advantage into the break, thanks to an early header from Miguel Britos. Both sides have threatened in an open encounter but after flying out of the traps Benitez's side deserve to be ahead.
With more clinical finishing Napoli could have put the result beyond doubt in the first five minutes. Higuain and Behrami both spurned golden opportunities in the opening exchanges, but thankfully for the travelling Azzurri faithful they have not been made to pay.
Milan have looked much brighter since conceding, testing Reina as Balotelli and Matri have finally been provided with service in the final third. Width still looks to be a massive problem for Allegri's side in this new 4-3-1-2 formation though, with Abate asked to do an awful lot down the flank.
Benitez has got this match spot-on tactically so far tonight, with Insigne and Callejon dropping off into dangerous areas to give Hamsik plenty of options in possession. The challenge now is to maintain a high standard, with a first win at the San Siro since 1986 within their grasp.
BENCH WATCH! With the second half fast approaching there is just time to look at the options available in reserve for both managers. Milan could call upon M'Baye Niang or Robinho in search of an equaliser when play resumes, while Napoli have Christian Maggio, Goran Pandev and Gokhan Inler amongst an experienced cast of substitutes.
Milan are back early and out on the field ready for the second half, with Napoli making them wait as they arrive slightly late from the tunnel. Can Allegri's side build on a strong finish to the first half, and will Balotelli be fit to finish as he struggles with that knee problem? We are about to find out!
Allegri has resisted the temptation to make changes as the second half gets underway, with Napoli choosing to keep possession deep inside their own half before Zuniga chips ahead in search of Zuniga.
Britos concedes a dangerous free kick after bundling over Balotelli, with Poli's effort hits the wall. Balotelli is soon involved again as he drives forward to win a corner kick, with Mexes inexplicably failing to make contact at the far post after Reina came to catch and completely missed the ball.
Milan are dominating possession and territory early in the second half, but as Birsa's shot is blocked clear Napoli suddenly have the chance to break. Hamsik and Higuain patiently work the ball across goal, but Zapata reads the danger and eventually hammers away.
GOAL! Milan 0-2 Napoli (Higuain)
Milan have been caught cold by a strike from range by Higuain as Napoli double their advantage, what a moment for the visitors. The Argentine turned away from De Jong before driving at goal from 25 yards, catching Abbiati by surprise at this near post. The veteran had to save that but can only palm into the back of the net. Advantage to the Azzurri!
SUBSTITUTION: Allegri reacts to that second goal by swapping Birsa for Robinho. The youngster has looked out of his depth this evening, with Milan turning to the Brazilian forward for inspiration early in the second half.
YELLOW CARD! Balotelli picks up a booking for clattering into the back of Dzemaili. The forward protests that it was his first challenge of that kind tonight, but the referee is not interested and issues a caution.
PENALTY TO MILAN! A lifeline for Milan as Albiol is penalised for catching Balotelli as he attempts to rob possession in the box. The referee has no hesitation and points to the spot, what a chance to reduce the deficit.
SAVE! Balotelli has just missed his first penalty in 23 attempts, what a stop from Reina. The goalkeeper waited until the last possible second before diving low to his right, clawing Balotelli's effort round the post. Quite incredible!
Poli picks up a yellow card for a late lunge in midfield, but when play resumes Milan win possession and create another chance, with Reina quick off his line to snuff out Matri. What a night the Spanish stopper is having.
SUBSTITUTION: Hamsik is caught late with De Jong but the referee allows play to continue, with Higuain bearing down on Zapata. De Jong is booked when the ball is eventually cleared, with Hamsik getting up to find he has been replaced by Goran Pandev.
Insigne sends a corner kick out on the full as Milan get a let-off in defence, with Emanuelson knocking the ball aimlessly long in the next passage of play. Still plenty of time for Milan to respond, but since that penalty miss things have gone quiet for the hosts in the final third.
OFF THE BAR! It's just not Balotelli's night as his sidefoot effort comes back off the crossbar. A slick exchange between him and Matri had created the chance, but after a neat first touch Balotelli's effort rose high and clipped the woodwork before going over the top. Very unlucky!
SUBSTITUTION: Allegri goes for broke as Niang comes on for Poli. Milan now have four strikers on the pitch and a different option in Niang, with the young Frenchman bringing pace to wide areas.
Zapata just stops Higuain finding Callejon with a clever chip after the Spaniard continued his run into the penalty area. Napoli will definitely find time and space on the counter with the match stretched, but will they choose to be bold and press for a goal that would end this match as a contest?
SAVE! Reina denies Balotelli again from range, as he turns an instinctive effort over the top. In truth the goalkeeper was expected to make that save with the shot staying high and central, as a tough night for Balotelli shows no sign of letting up.
SUBSTITUTION: Napoli introduce fresh legs in attack as Higuain gets a rest. The Argentine is replaced by Dries Mertens, who gets a chance to impress in the closing stages.
SUBSTITUTION: Milan respond in kind with their final swap in another attacking change born out of necessity. Nocerino has taken Abate's place and should go out to the right-hand side, with a remit of bombing on into the final third.
Balotelli wants another penalty and has a case as Mesto trips him from behind well inside the box. His appeals fall on deaf ears though, with Mexes firing well wide at the far post as play continued. Time running out now for the Rosonerri.
Niang's work out wide wins a corner kick, which Robinho takes quickly. As the cross comes in Niang hits a volley towards goal first-time, but his effort deflects wide off a Milan player as Matri is unable to get out of the way.
SUBSTITUTION: Benitez opts for defensive steel in the closing stages, with Insigne taken off in favour of Inler. When play resumes Britos hacks over Balotelli with a truly cynical lunge outside the area, picking up a caution he more than merits.
Abbiati denies Dzemaili from distance, with Pandev skewing wide from close range. We will have three minutes of added time!
GOAL! Milan 1-2 Napoli (Balotelli)
We have a grandstand finish at the San Siro, but is it too late. Balotelli gets some space just outside the box and curls a wonderful effort into the top corner. It's no less than he deserves for continuing to work hard this afternoon, but will it prove to be just a consolation?
FULL TIME Milan 1-2 Napoli
Napoli just do enough to edge an absolute cracker at the San Siro, for their first win at the ground against AC Milan since 1986. What a match, with Milan coming up short despite a spirited fightback in the second half.
In the end the decisive moment in the match came when Balotelli missed the first penalty of his career, with Pepe Reina denying the forward from eight yards with a superb stop. A wonderful advert for Serie A, with Napoli moving level with Roma at the top of Serie A.
RED CARD! With the match over we have just received word that Balotelli was sent off heading down the tunnel, picking up a second booking for continuing his protest with the referee. It's always eventful with Balotelli, that's for sure.
Well that just about brings an end to out coverage of a memorable night at the San Siro for Napoli, as Benitez's superb start to life in Serie A continues. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to stay tuned for all the reaction on an eventful weekend across the continent. Goodnight!
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
