AC Milan delivered a statement victory in Serie A by defeating reigning champions SSC Napoli 2-1 at San Siro on Sunday, a result that propelled the Rossoneri to the top of the table and confirmed their strong start to the season with four wins in their first five matches. The match could not have started better for Stefano Pioli’s side, as Belgian midfielder

Alexis Saelemaekers opened the scoring in the 3rd minute by capitalizing on a defensive error. The hosts doubled their advantage in the 31st minute when American forward Christian Pulisic finished off a brilliant team move, igniting the San Siro crowd and giving Milan firm control of the game. Napoli, entering as the defending champions and under pressure to stay competitive at the summit, struggled to find their rhythm.

Matters worsened in the 57th minute when defender Pervis Estupiñán was shown a red card after receiving a second booking, leaving the visitors with ten men at a crucial stage of the match. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Napoli managed to pull one back in the 61st minute through a penalty confidently converted by Kevin De Bruyne, injecting late drama and forcing Milan to defend their lead with resilience.

In the closing stages, the home side stood firm, absorbing Napoli’s pressure and holding on until the final whistle. With this victory, AC Milan not only leapfrogs Napoli to claim the top spot in Serie A but also sends a clear message to the rest of the league: their ambition to reclaim the Scudetto remains intact, and their squad continues to show strength and determination. Meanwhile, Napoli must regroup quickly to avoid losing further ground in their title defense.