Brace Ibrahimovic Silences Napoli 3-1

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Two goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic colored AC Milan's 3-1 victory over Napoli in the Italian League match at the San Paolo Stadium, Naples, Monday morning WIB.

An additional three points made Milan reclaim the top position of the standings which Sassuolo had occupied for several hours. Milan are now top with a collection of 20 points, while Napoli are stuck in sixth place with 14 points, as reported by Antara from the Italian League website.

3 points and our unbeaten run continues! ✌️Vittoria e la striscia positiva continua! ✌️ # NapoliMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/iHJK7E8DPE

- AC Milan (@acmilan) November 22, 2020

The two teams threatened each other from the start, but it was Milan who managed to break the deadlock in the 20th minute when Ibrahimovic stole a position to get in front of Kalidou Koulibaly and headed home Theo Hernandez's cross into the hosts.

Napoli tried to get up. It was Milan goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma who had to work hard to hold off Dries Mertens' shot. From a corner, Napoli have three good chances, the first when Tiemoue Bakayoko's shot is blocked by Donnarumma, Giovanni Di Lorenzo's strike hits the crossbar, and Hirving Lozano's shot is pushed over by the goalkeeper.

As Napoli became more and more eager to equalize, Milan doubled the lead in the 54th minute. Ibrahimovic was again on the scoresheet, using his knee to continue Ante Rebic's cross.

Ibrahimovic hits Napoli's goal for the third time but is already offside first.

8️⃣ consecutive #SerieATIM games on the scoresheet ⚽️ In other words: @Ibra_official 🔴⚫️ # NapoliMilan #SempreMilan pic.twitter.com/HTBt1hSFOC

- AC Milan (@acmilan) November 22, 2020

Napoli to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute. Mertens grabbed the ball quickly after distancing himself from Alessio Romagnoli's control.

Unfortunately when Napoli started to find their rhythm, they lost Bakayoko who got a second yellow card for violating Theo Hernandez in the 65th minute.

Ibrahimovic then felt pain in his leg and was pulled off the pitch. But Milan threatened again with a Colombo shot which goalkeeper Alex Meret countered.

Milan scored the third goal recorded by young player Jens Petter Hauge. He ran after Ismael Bennacer's through ball, outwitted Kostas Manolas, and slammed the ball into Napoli's goal from a tight angle.

The composition of the players of the two teams:

Napoli (4-3-3): Alex Meret, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Konstantinos Manolas, Kalidou Koulibaly, Mario Rui, Fabian, Tiemoue Bakayoko, Matteo Politano (Andrea Petagna 69 '), Hirving Lozano (Piotr Zielinski 56'), Dries Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne

Coach: Gennaro Gattuso

AC Milan (4-2-3-1): Gianluigi Donnarumma, Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer, Alessio Romagnoli, Theo Hernandez, Ismael Bennacer, Franck Kessie, Alexis Saelemaekers (Samuel Castillejo 73 '), Hakan Calhanoglu (Rade Krunic 87') , Ante Rebic (Jens Petter Hauge 79 '), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Lorenzo Colombo 79')

Coach: Daniele Bonera