AC Milan couldn’t turn the tide in a 2-1 loss to Napoli on Sunday night, as Sergio Conceicao’s side slipped further in the Serie A race. A lightning-fast opener from Matteo Politano and a clinical Romelu Lukaku strike had the hosts in control, despite a late rally sparked by substitute Luka Jovic. Here’s how Milan’s players rated in a night that left them nine points adrift of fourth-placed Bologna.
A Nightmare Start in Naples
The game was barely a minute old when Politano caught Milan napping, firing Napoli ahead and setting a brutal tone. By the 19th minute, Lukaku doubled the lead, ghosting past a shaky Milan backline left flat-footed. It was a defensive horror show that no amount of second-half grit could fully erase, exposing the cracks in Conceicao’s struggling setup as they chase a Champions League spot.
Jovic Shines, But Too Little Too Late
Enter Luka Jovic—Milan’s second-half savior. Coming off the bench, he notched a 7/10 with a classic striker’s goal, pouncing in the box to give the Rossoneri a lifeline. Theo Hernandez (6.5/10) played provider, linking up with Rafael Leao to win a penalty and assist Jovic’s strike. But earlier misses—like Santiago Gimenez’s fluffed spot-kick (4.5/10)—meant Milan’s fightback fell short against a resolute Napoli side coached by Antonio Conte.
Struggles Across the Pitch
It wasn’t all doom and gloom, but Milan’s stars dimmed too often. Mike Maignan (6/10) was blameless for the goals, yet powerless to stop them. Defenders like Strahinja Pavlovic (5/10) and Malick Thiaw (5.5/10) floundered early, while midfielders Warren Bondo (5.5/10) and Youssouf Fofana (5.5/10) couldn’t stem Napoli’s tide. Up top, Tammy Abraham (5.5/10) and Joao Felix (4.5/10) barely troubled the hosts, leaving Conceicao (5/10) with more questions than answers.
What’s Next for Milan?
This defeat marks another stumble in Milan’s rollercoaster season under Conceicao, whose halftime pep talk sparked some life but couldn’t undo the damage. With Leao (6.5/10) showing flashes of brilliance off the bench and Jovic proving his worth, there’s hope yet. But as the gap to Serie A’s top four widens, Milan face a steep climb to salvage their European dreams. Next up: a chance to regroup against Udinese.