OLIVIER GIROUD’S LONE GOAL IN THE SECOND HALF GIVES AC MILAN A CRUCIAL WIN OVER NAPOLI AT THE STADIO DIEGO ARMANDO MARADONA.
AC Milan Moves To The Top Of The Italia Serie A League Table.
Olivier Giroud scored the decisive goal as AC Milan emerged victorious in a crunch clash over fellow title challenger’s Napoli, a result that sent the Rossoneri back to the top of the Serie A.
The 35-year-old’s instinctive finish four minutes after the restart proved the difference and capped an eventful evening for the Frenchman.
Chances were at a premium in a tense and fiery first half that ended goalless but with more control and possession, Milan’s Stefano Pioli would have been the happier of the two managers at the break.
The biggest talking point of the opening 45 minutes was the nasty wound suffered by Giroud after he was caught by Kalidou Koulibaly.
It was unclear if the Frenchman would be able to play through the pain barrier, but he emerged for the second half and made his presence felt just four minutes after the interval, sticking out a foot to divert Davide Calabria’s shot into the net to give Milan a deserved lead.
Giroud eventually had to be forced off after going over on his ankle, but his withdrawal failed to deter the visitors who were excellent in defending their narrow lead.
The result means Milan climb back above Inter at the summit with just two points separating the great rivals. Napoli remain third, three points adrift of the leaders.
