AC Milan’s title hopes suffer a major blow after a shock home defeat, while Napoli fume over controversial officiating in their loss to Atalanta
AC MILAN slumped to a damaging 1-0 home defeat to Parma on Sunday. The result leaves city rivals Inter 10 points clear at the top of Serie A.
A late header from Parma defender Mariano Troilo condemned the second-placed Rossoneri to their first league loss since the opening weekend. The defeat capped a poor week after they also dropped points in a midweek draw with Como.
Assistant coach Marco Landucci, standing in for the suspended Massimiliano Allegri, expressed the team’s disappointment. “We are not happy, obviously,” Landucci told Sky Sport.
“Parma played very well and the ball just didn’t want to go in for us tonight. We wanted the three points, so of course we feel let down, but we go again.”
Milan’s preparations were disrupted before kick-off when Matteo Gabbia suffered a muscle problem in the warm-up. They then lost Ruben Loftus-Cheek to a head injury early in the match.
The England midfielder was stretchered off wearing a neck brace after a collision with Parma goalkeeper Edoardo Corvi. Italian media reported Loftus-Cheek would need dental treatment and tests for possible head trauma.
Milan’s best first-half chance fell to Christian Pulisic, but his shot was saved by Corvi. The American winger fired another opportunity narrowly wide just before half-time.
The hosts pushed for a winner after the break but struggled to break down a resilient Parma defence. The decisive goal came in the 80th minute from Troilo’s header.
The goal was initially disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Mike Maignan. A lengthy VAR review led the referee to overturn his decision, leaving Milan’s title hopes in tatters.
Meanwhile, Napoli blasted “shameful” refereeing after a 2-1 loss at top-four rivals Atalanta. The defeat leaves the injury-hit reigning champions third, 14 points behind Inter.
Napoli were incensed after having a penalty award overturned and a goal disallowed in the first half. Sporting director Giovanni Manna launched a furious tirade against the officials.
“Where is the foul? The VAR called him on the penalty, why not on this? It’s embarrassing,” Manna told DAZN. “It’s shameful, I have no more words.”
Atalanta took an early lead through Sam Beukema’s header. Napoli thought they had equalised through Miguel Gutierrez, but the goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
The home team completed their comeback with second-half goals from Mario Pasalic and Lazar Samardzic. The victory extends Atalanta’s unbeaten league run to nine matches.
The Sun Malaysia
