AC Milan climbs to the top of Serie A: Is this Milan destined for the Scudetto?!

30/09/2025 07:25:00 soccer

Despite being a player down for over half an hour against reigning champions Napoli, Milan held firm to secure a crucial 2-1 win, overtaking their opponents to reach the top of Serie A.

Equally important as the points gained, this victory showed Milan possess the courage, strength, and qualities necessary to aim for bigger goals rather than just returning to the Champions League qualification spots.

Allegri outsmarts Conte

The key match of round 5 drew attention primarily because it was a clash between two highly respected and experienced managers known for their winning records in the league. While Antonio Conte led Napoli to last season’s title to great acclaim, Max Allegri is expected to do the same with Milan this season. At San Siro, Allegri took a 1-0 lead over his counterpart.

Allegri outmaneuvered Conte throughout the tactical battle. With Napoli missing their top three center-backs (Buongiorno, Rahmani, Beukema) and experienced wing-back Spinazzola, forced to field a defense made up entirely of substitutes and young players, Allegri instructed Milan to launch an early high press while Napoli was still disorganized. This approach quickly paid off with Milan’s opening goal in the 3rd minute from a sharp counterattack, laying the foundation for the match outcome.

From the 58th minute, Milan played with 10 men after Pervis Estupinan received a red card, and Kevin De Bruyne scored a penalty to make it 2-1 for Napoli. Milan had to adopt a compact defensive stance to protect their lead, and Allegri once again outsmarted Conte. Despite deploying all attacking options, Napoli failed to create any dangerous chances and accepted defeat. Clearly, Allegri remains a master of defensive tactics.

Milan defeated Napoli with great determination and intelligence.

Modric outclasses De Bruyne

The next notable duel was between two contemporary football legends: Luka Modric for Milan and De Bruyne for Napoli. The elder and more commanding figure triumphed. At 40 years old, Modric delivered an incredible performance with extraordinary fighting spirit and unmatched passion. He remained calm while Milan controlled the game but fought like a twenty-year-old when his team had to defend intensely. Lukita served as a role model for teammates throughout the 97 minutes, tirelessly working until the final seconds. He prevented a 2-2 equalizer by leaping to block David Neres’s shot, which hit the crossbar instead of going in. In contrast, De Bruyne’s impact was much less impressive despite scoring Napoli’s second goal. The Belgian star even caused controversy by refusing to shake hands with coach Conte after being substituted in the 72nd minute. In terms of influence in the new team, De Bruyne currently lags behind veteran Modric.

Is this Milan a Scudetto contender?

The match against Napoli was the first major test of the season, and Milan passed with flying colors. The team appears stronger and more confident with each passing day. Key players are in excellent form, not only Modric. The trio of French internationals Adrien Rabiot, Youssouf Fofana, and Mike Maignan remain unbeatable. Christian Pulisic scores or assists every time he plays (he leads Serie A’s scoring charts with 4 goals and 2 assists after just 5 matches).

Milan’s victory over Napoli was not only due to sharp attacking in the first half but also the art of defending and unyielding spirit in the second half. The final 30 minutes demonstrated the team’s full embrace of Allegri’s philosophy: they know how to endure and stand united to protect their achievements under adversity. Even young newcomers like Koni De Winter and Zaychare Athekame remained composed when trusted. This shows Milan’s development—they have become a team that can attack, defend, and overcome difficulties by fighting as a united group.

It’s too early to talk about the Scudetto, but Milan has every right to dream. They have a talented and composed coach, a united squad, impactful new signings, and the advantage of not participating in European cups—a significant edge over major rivals. This weekend, the Rossoneri will face their next big test away at Juventus, Allegri’s former club, which is currently unstable after three consecutive draws and a noticeable decline in scoring ability.

Tension in Serie A

After only five rounds, Serie A has already shown intense competition at the top, the tightest among Europe’s top five leagues. With three teams tied on 12 points—Milan, Napoli, Roma—and Juventus on 11 points, the gap between first and fourth is just one point. By comparison, Ligue 1’s gap is 3 points, Premier League’s 4, and La Liga and Bundesliga’s 6 points.

However, the top positions could shift quickly this weekend as Milan and Juventus face off at Allianz Stadium, Roma visits Fiorentina—who are struggling under new coach Stefano Pioli—while Napoli takes on Genoa and Inter (fifth with 9 points) hosts Cremonese, both expected to secure straightforward wins.

Nguyen Vinh

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