Napoli received a warmer welcome at the San Siro stadium than it did during its previous visit _ which was marked by fan violence and racism
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek in action with Napoli’s Raul Albiol REUTERS
Napoli received a warmer welcome at the San Siro Stadium than it did during its previous visit which was marked by fan violence and racism. Still, the southern club was subjected to territorial chants by AC Milan supporters during a 0-0 draw on Saturday in Serie A. Napoli hardly seemed to notice the insulting chants, which emanated from the southern curve where Milan’s hard-core “ultra” fans sit.
“It was a completely different atmosphere,” Napoli coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “All the fans at the San Siro deserve to be applauded.” Ancelotti was sent off in the closing minutes for protests after Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz was shown a questionable second yellow card.
Both sides had chances and the possession was perfectly split between Napoli and Milan, who meet again on Tuesday in the same stadium for the Italian Cup quarterfinals. An Inter Milan supporter died following fan clashes when Napoli last visited Milan in December _ a match that was also marred by racist chants directed at Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
Napoli remained second, eight points behind Juventus, and Milan stayed fourth.
RECORD RUN
Fabio Quagliarella converted two penalties in Sampdoria’s 4-0 win over Udinese to extend his scoring streak to 11 consecutive Serie A matches, tying the league record set in 1994 by Gabriel Batistuta with Fiorentina. With 16 goals, Quagliarella also moved clear atop the league scoring chart _ two ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Duvan Zapata.
Karol Linetty scored Samp’s third and substitute Manolo Gabbiadini also found the target with an assist from the 35-year-old Quagliarella for his first goal since transferring from Southampton.
Also, Sassuolo moved into the top half of the table with a 3-0 win over Cagliari with goals from Manuel Locatelli, Khouma Babacar (penalty) and Alessandro Matri.
