Milan responded well to last weeks defeat to Genoa with a commanding victory over Napoli at the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The French international, Jérémy Ménez was again brilliant and everything good from Milan came through him. He scored a stunning opening goal before linking up brilliantly with Armero with Bonavetura getting the all in important second goal.
This is how the teams lined up:
AC Milan's XI: Diego Lopez; Bonera, Mexes, Rami, Armero; Poli, De Jong, Montolivo; Honda, Menez, Bonaventura
Napoli's XI: Rafael; Mesto, R.Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; David Lopez, Jorginho; Callejon, De Guzman, Mertens; Higuain
Ref: Damato
Goalscorers: Milan (Menez, Bonaventura)
It only took five minutes for the first goal of the game. It was Jérémy Ménez who broke the deadlock, the Frenchman adding his eighth Serie A goal of the season after he collected the ball on the edge of the box and flew passed Koulibaly before hitting a precise strike past Rafael. The AC Milan captain, Riccardo Montolivo almost came near with his snapshot and a few efforts hit wide during the first-half. The Italian international was only starting his second game since his horrific injury prior to the World Cup against the Republic of Ireland. The skipper completed 85 minutes before being subbed off for Essien. Higuaín tried to get the Neapolitans back into the game. His cross was intercepted brilliantly by Philippe Mexès who slid the ball inches away for own goal preventing a simple tap-in for Jonathan de Guzman, five yards away from goal.
After the break Napoli upped the intensity and were much more forceful in their play but that was all under after seven minutes from the restart. Ménez combined well with Armero on the edge of the Neapolitans box, the Colombian spotted Giacomo Bonaventura who drifted in between Albiol and Koulibaly heading his effort passed the Brazilian, Rafael. Napoli's defence was suspect once again allowing a 5''11 Bonaventura to get a headed goal when you have Albiol and Koulibaly such things shouldn't happen. Milan should have been out of sight eight minutes later when Ménez played in Poli but his heavy first touch let him down. A few minutes later another chance presented itself to the hosts. On the break Honda steamed into the box and cut back to the skipper, Montolivo who hit wide. Ménez nearly scored a wonderful goal, the Frenchman weaved passed three defenders before Koulibaly blocked his strike for a corner. Duván Zapata nearly made an immediate impact when coming on, his cross come shot nearly met Higuaín but Armero was on hand to clear the ball.
The last couple chances of the game came from the visitors. Firstly Higuaín hit a ferocious effort full of venom but was saved brilliantly by the Spaniard, Diego López. López was again called into action saving Zapata's header at the death.