One day before mid-season, the Nerazzurri are in the lead with four points ahead of the Neapolitans and the Rossoneri (tied for 2nd), who fought a bitter battle at San Siro.
Napoli won thanks to an early header from Eljif Elmas (5th).
This quick goal rewarded the invigorating start to the match for Luciano Spalletti's team, despite the absence of half of the holders due to injury (Insigne, Osimhen, Koulibaly, Mario Rui, Fabian Ruiz).
The Macedonian midfielder of Naples, Eljif Elmas, opens the scoring against AC Milan, during the 18th matchday of Serie A, on December 19, 2021 at the San Siro Miguel Stadium MEDINA AFP
Milan, not spared either (Hernandez, Kjaer, Leao, Rebic), put more pressure in the second half but neither Zlatan Ibrahimovic nor Olivier Giroud, came into play in the second half after almost a month of absence (thigh) , have failed to reverse the situation.
AC Milan forwards, Frenchman Olivier Giroud and Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic, in Matchday 18 home match against Napoli on December 19, 2021 at San Siro Stadium MIGUEL MEDINA AFP
Milan thought they had snatched the equalizer in the 90th minute but the VAR showered the joy of the tifosi rossoneri by signaling an offside from Giroud on the goal scored by Franck Kessié.
A decision that will undoubtedly fuel the discussions in the coming days in Italy.
This Neapolitan victory is the business of Inter, which increases its lead at the head after its clear success Friday at the red lantern, La Salernitana (5-0) and still confirms its ambitions to keep the scudetto acquired last May.
© 2021 AFP