AC Milan routs Napoli 4-0 in Champions League warning

ROME: If this was just the antipasto, Napoli should be concerned about what AC Milan will serve up for the main course. In the first of three matchups between Milan and Napoli this month, the defending Serie A champion routed this season’s runaway leader 4-0 on Sunday ahead of two more clashes in the Champions League quarterfinals. Rafael Leão scored twice and Brahim Diaz set up one goal and scored another to hand Napoli its heaviest defeat of what otherwise has been an extraordinary season.

“We’re happy with the performance but it’s just one game,” Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. “Tonight’s result has nothing to do with the Champions League games, because that’s a different competition. That will be a very balanced contest.” Napoli’s only other losses in the Italian league this season both came by scores of 1-0, to Inter Milan in January and to Lazio a month ago.

Napoli was also beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in the final match of the Champions League group phase but that loss came after the Partenopei had already clinched a spot in the round of 16. Otherwise, Napoli’s only other defeat in 2022-23 came against Cremonese on penalties in the Italian Cup. Milan moved up to third place, 20 points behind Napoli and four points behind Lazio.

Milan controlled from the start at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium and Diaz set up Milan’s early opener for Leão with a perfect through ball. Leão — last season’s MVP — then did the rest by chipping in over Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret. Diaz produced some more fireworks when he faked out Mario Rui to score with a deflection from close range in the 25th.