Series A
6:45 p.mApril 6, 2026
Regular season – 31
Stadium Diego Armando Maradona
Referee: Daniele Doveri, Italy
Naples
AC Milan
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
0.75
Expected Goals (xG)
0.47
Passing by
470 (90%)
Accurate passes
395 (85%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
32
G
Vanja Milinković-Savić
6.6
17
d
Mathias Olivera
7.0
d
Good morning Alexander
12′ Stumbled
5
d
John Jesus
7.2
37
m
Leonardo Spinazzola
7.2
68
m
Stanislav Lobotka (C)
7.5
99
m
Frank Anguissa
7.2
3
m
Miguel Gutierrez
6.7
8
F
Scott McTominay
6.3
11
F
Kevin De Bruyne
7.0
23
F
young man
6.6
16
G
Mike Maignan (C)
7.2
31
d
Strahinja Pavlovic
6.3
5
d
Koni De Winter
6.9
23
d
Fikayo Tomori
6.9
33
m
David Bartesaghi
7.0
12
m
Adrien Rabiot
6.6
14
m
Luka Modric
7.2
19
m
Youssouf Fofana
6.5
56
m
Alexis Saelemaekers
6.6
18
F
Christopher Nkunku
6.3
9
F
Niclas Füllkrug
6.7
trainer
Massimiliano Allegri
Serie A classification – Serie A
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – Serie B
Matteo Politano’s decisive late goal secured a vital 1-0 win for Napoli against AC Milan, leaving the Serie A title race wide open.
The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium witnessed a high-stakes encounter on April 6, 2026. Third-placed Napoli with 62 points hosted second-placed AC Milan, who had a narrow lead of one point. Both teams arrived in good recent form, promising a fiercely contested battle.
The first half started with immediate intensity from the home team. Napoli pushed forward, looking to assert dominance in midfield.
An early yellow card for Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno in the 12th minute set a tense tone. He was booked for a triple offense when Milan tried to create an attack.
Despite Napoli’s slight advantage in possession and total shots, Mike Maignan in the Milan goal remained largely calm. Both defenses held firm and resulted in a scoreless opening 45 minutes.
At half-time, the tie suggested a tactical battle with little separating the sides. Both managers certainly tried to inject more attacking urgency and find the breakthrough.
The second half saw a flurry of substitutions as the managers tried to change the momentum. Milan introduced Alexis Saelemaekers and Niclas Füllkrug just after the hour mark.
Napoli responded and brought on Giovane in the 70th minute. Milan then made a key change with Christopher Nkunku entering the fray in the 74th minute, closely followed by Leonardo Spinazzola for Napoli.
The decisive moment came in the 79th minute. Matteo Politano, a shock substitute, found the back of the net for Napoli. His well-taken goal fired up the home crowd and put his team in front.
Politano received a yellow card just two minutes later, in the 81st minute, for a cynical foul after his goal. Milan pushed for the equalizer and made further changes with Fikayo Tomori and Youssouf Fofana coming on.
Napoli have bolstered their defense with late substitutions of their own, bringing on the experienced Kevin De Bruyne and Juan Jesus in the 85th minute to see the game out.
Napoli finished with an expected goal (xG) of 0.75 compared to Milan’s 0.47, reflecting their offensive efforts. The home team also recorded a total of 10 shots with 3 on target, against Milan’s 7 shots with just 1 on target. Napoli had 53% possession, demonstrating their control of the ball.
This narrow victory significantly strengthens the race for the Serie A title. Napoli are now just one point behind AC Milan, ensuring an exciting conclusion to the season. Politano’s late heroics could be pivotal to the Azzurri’s ambitions.
