Napoli 2-1 AC Milan: Who was hot and who was not

Napoli 2-1 AC Milan: Who was hot and who was not
2017-18-11 - 22:42
Napoli dominated AC Milan at the San Paolo tonight on the strength of Lorenzo Insigne and Piotr Zielinski goals. Though the scoreline read only 2-1, it may have well just showed an ‘infinity’ sign under Napoli’s name as there was no way Milan was going to win that match.

The hosts had the edge in talent, form, creativity, and coaching. Embattled Milan manager Vincenzo Montella is out of ideas to turn around his €220 million ship built this past summer. His players lacked imagination, creativity, and spunk as they couldn’t get past Napoli’s suffocating midfield.

Alessio Romagnoli’s stoppage time goal was simply a consolation prize on a night Milan were overmatched.

Here’s who was hot, and who was not:

HOT:

Lorenzo Insigne – The Italian international proved his snub by Giampiero Ventura may go down as one of the worst coaching decisions in soccer history. His early goal set the tone, and was a pest to his national teammate Leo Bonucci.

Maurizio Sarri – As usual, he drew up the perfect game plan, and trained his players to execute it to perfection. They suffocated Milan from start to finish.

VAR – The controversial addition to world soccer proved crucial as it reversed the incorrect offsides call that originally negated Insigne’s goal.

Gigi Donnarumma – The new first-choice Italian national team keeper did his very best to battle Napoli, but was given no chance as Napoli took advantage of Milan miscues leading to high-percentage opportunities on the keeper.

NOT:

Vincenzo Montella – The Milan manager is fresh out of ideas, and needs to vacate his seat before Milan’s losing mentality becomes a cancer in the dressing room. Their lack of inspiration is a direct reflection of his lack of answers.

Riccardo Montolivo – The aging midfielder was about as effective as you’d imagine he’d be in a start against the Serie A leaders.

Suso – The Milan winger left in the first half with an injury, and took the Rossoneri’s chances of victory with him.