Serie A Match Report-Napoli vs. A.C Milan- Part 1
Edinson Cavani’s hat-trick demolished Italian Champions, A.C Milan, 3-1 in a crunch Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo on Sunday, September, 18th, 2011.
The Partenopei moved to the top of the league table and sent a clear message to the doubters that they are very much in race to win the Scudetto this season.
Walter Mazzarri made only one change to his team from the 1-1 draw against Manchester City in the Champions League game during the midweek. Christian Maggio replaced Juan http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-Lavezzi-c13073 passed a late fitness test to play in the match.
On the other hand, injury-plagued Milan made two changes from the 2-2 draw against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Daniele-Bonera-c10109 respectively.
The game got off to a slow start as both teams took time to settle in their strides. It took only 11 minutes for Aquilani to put the host’s front with the first real goal-scoring opportunity of the game. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roma-c31603 star headed it powerfully from 18-yards to make it 1-0 for the visitors.
It hardly took three minutes for the Azzurri to hit back, as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Christian-Abbiati-c9046 to make it 1-1.
The game continued with the same intensity as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Salvatore-Aronica-c32276 picked up the first booking of the game after he brought down Cassano in the 15th minute. Both teams created several scoring opportunities inside the opening 20 minutes but the goalkeepers came to the rescue.
When it seemed like the game had settled into a moderate pace, Cavani provided his team with a lead in the 36th minute. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Walter-Gargano-c36598 lead a lovely counter-attacking run and passed the ball to El-Matador, whose wonderful curling shot found the back of the net to make it 2-1. Milan fans were stunned into silence.
Three minutes later, Aquilani had a wonderful opportunity to double his and Milan’s tally for the evening. Cassano played a delightful through ball to send the midfielder clear on goal but his tame effort was saved brilliantly down to his left by http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Morgan-De-Sanctis-c26801.
Milan continued to dominate the proceedings and clearly looked desperate for an equaliser before the half-time whistle. Aquilani had another wonderful opportunity to score just before the break, as he fancied a shot from 25-yards, which fizzed past the post from few centimetres.
Referee blew the whistle for the half-time after a one minute stoppage time and Mazzarri’s men went into the break with a deserved 2-1 lead.
Article continued in part 2 of the story
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