Napoli registered a comfortable 2-0 win over AC Milan at San Siro on Tuesday evening. Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring with just five minutes on the clock and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s accurate right-footed strike all but put the contest to bed towards the end of the first half to clinch a fifth straight league victory for Antonio Conte’s side, who sit top of the table with 25 points from a possible 30.
Here’s what the boss made of the triumph:
“I’m proud of the team. Today’s win gave me a real thrill because of the commitment that the lads showed out on the pitch. Being in this position after ten matchdays would’ve been unthinkable at the start of the season. We need to be proud and at the same time, we have to stay level-headed and humble because we know we must always give our all to fully showcase what we can do.
“We have no intention of hiding ourselves away, but it’s also true that our target is to get back into Europe. Let’s not forget that last season we were over 40 points behind the title winners and this city deserves the very best international stage. The hard work has to continue because there’s always room for improvement in order to complete the construction phase and raise the bar in terms of competitiveness.
“This is one of the best groups that I’ve had in my career. These players are ready to die, in football terms, for this jersey, which makes me so happy. There’s a wonderful rapport among the staff, the club and everyone here. There’s a cleanliness in the air underpinned by excitement and passion.”
Captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo also offered his take on the 2-0 win against Paulo Fonseca’s side.
“It’s an important victory against a great team at a stadium that we know is very hostile. We feel very positive and are extremely pleased with the performance.
“Now we have to look straight ahead of us as we face Atalanta on Sunday and we’ll try to give it our all. You have to adopt the right mentality in every game. Our hard work in the week is paying off and we’ll continue down this road.
“We want to dedicate this win to Diego Maradona. It would’ve been his birthday tomorrow so we’re sending our love to all his family.”
AC Milan 0-2 Napoli (HT: 0-2)
Scorers: Lukaku 5, Kvaratskhelia 43
MILAN: Maignan; Emerson Royal (Pulisic 62), Thiaw, Pavlovic, Terracciano, Musah, Fofana, Chukwueze, Loftus-Cheek (Camarda 87), Okafor (Leao 62), Morata.
Coach: Fonseca
NAPOLI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Buongiorno, Olivera (Zerbin 93), McTominay, Gilmour (Folorunsho 93), Anguissa, Politano (Mazzocchi 69), Kvaratskhelia (Neres 77), Lukaku (Simeone 77).
Coach: Conte
Referee: Colombo.
Booked: Olivera.
