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Napoli announced their bid for the Serie A title with Sunday’s 2-1 win at AC Milan which maintained their league lead, while the crisis at Juventus deepened following a humiliating defeat at Monza.
A Matteo Politano penalty 10 minutes after half-time and Giovanni Simeone’s header with 12 minutes remaining gave Napoli a statement win at the San Siro, one managed without injured star striker Victor Osimhen and suspended coach Luciano Spalletti not on the bench.
Napoli sit top of the pile on goal difference from Atalanta, 1-0 winners at Roma, and a point ahead of Udinese, who beat Inter Milan 3-1 in Sunday’s early match to win their fifth match on the bounce.
They are also three points ahead of champions Milan who drop down to fifth after their first defeat of the season.
“This is not just about quality, this is a determined team which is capable of sacrifice,” said substitute Simeone to DAZN.
“All this team wants to do is to give its all and get better day by day.”
Simeone’s first Serie A goal for Napoli ended a 22-match unbeaten run for Milan, who levelled in the 69th minute through Olivier Giroud and were unlucky to lose after hitting the woodwork late on through Pierre Kalulu.
However the absence of suspended star man Rafael Leao and some smart saves from Alex Meret, who tipped one early Giroud effort of the bar, cost Milan at least a draw.
