Matteo Politano’s solitary goal was enough to give Napoli all three points against at the San Siro on Sunday night. The defeat means the Rossoneri are nine points behind league leaders Inter, who look to be gliding away towards the Scudetto.
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Milan entered the clash against Napoli on the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Old Trafford and several absences, which Stefano Pioli was keen to point out after the match.
Speaking to the press after the loss to Napoli (via MilanLive), Pioli pointed out the absence of the club’s main strikers as a key factor for the recent results.
“When the absences are numerous, you lose something. These are players who give important technical quality, but also give a presence on the pitch in terms of mentality and communication. We have played many games without a center forward. Several times we have been without Ibrahimovic Mandzukic and Rebic,” he said.
Moreover, Pioli was quick to compare Milan’s front line absentees with the club rivals Inter and Juventus, saying: “Try to imagine Inter without Lukaku, Martinez and Sanchez or Juventus without Ronaldo, Morata and Chiesa.
“We have done many games without Ibra, Rebic and Mandzukic. Over half the championship without Zlatan, yet we are there with many positive performances.”
Milan sit in second place with 56 points and look likely to fall to third, given the fact that Juventus are just a point behind with an extra game in hand, which funnily enough will actually come against Napoli.