AC Milan moved top of Serie A following a hard-earned 2-1 victory over Napoli, who dropped their first points of the season.
2025/2026 Serie A
2-1
Match Report
First-half goals from Alexis Saelemaekers and Christian Pulisic at San Siro proved enough for the 10-man Rossoneri, as they displaced their opponents at the summit via their head-to-head record.
Just three minutes had elapsed when Pulisic glided away from a couple of challenges down the left flank, before playing the ball across the face of goal for Saelemaekers to apply the finishing touch at the far post.
Mike Maignan then came to Milan's rescue at the other end with sharp reflex saves to deny Miguel Gutierrez and Scott McTominay, before the hosts doubled their lead in the 31st minute.
Youssouf Fofana cushioned Strahinja Pavlovic's square pass into the path of Pulisic, whose deflected strike beat Alex Meret.
Napoli were handed a reprieve on the hour mark, though. Giovanni Di Lorenzo was hauled down by Pervis Estupinan, who was sent off following a VAR review, and Kevin De Bruyne calmly slotted home from the penalty spot.
The reigning Scudetto holders desperately looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage and find the equaliser.
Di Lorenzo headed over and substitute David Neres' deflected effort from distance clipped the outside of the post, but Massimiliano Allegri's side held out to go top of the table.
46 - Since his #SerieA debut (2023/24), Christian #Pulisic has become the player who has been directly involved in the most goals in the last three top-flight seasons: 46 (27 goals, 19 assists): overtaken Lautaro Martínez (45). Driver.#MilanNapoli pic.twitter.com/K9pjI11omc
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) September 28, 2025
Data Debrief: Pulisic pulls clear as De Bruyne matches Klose
Milan broke through after just two minutes and 23 seconds, with what was their fastest goal against Napoli since Filippo Inzaghi's struck after exactly two minutes in their October 2009 clash.
After assisting the first goal, Pulisic scored the second to take his tally of direct goal involvements in Serie A to 46 (27 goals, 19 assists), more than any other player in the last three seasons.
De Bruyne gave Napoli hope as he became the first midfielder since 2000 to score in each of his first three Serie A away games.
The former Manchester City maestro is also only the fourth player overall to achieve the feat, after Mauro Zarate (2008), Miroslav Klose (2011) and Krzysztof Piatek (2018).
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
3' GOAL! Milan 1-0 Napoli (Alexis Saelemaekers)
11' Match Event for Milan vs Napoli
12' Highlight from Milan vs Napoli
23' Highlight from Milan vs Napoli
27' Match Event for Milan vs Napoli
31' GOAL! Milan 2-0 Napoli (Christian Pulisic)
37' Match Event for Milan vs Napoli
57' Red Card! Pervis Estupiñán sent off
59' Penalty Goal! Milan 2-1 Napoli
69' Match Event for Milan vs Napoli
75' Highlight from Milan vs Napoli
Line-ups
Milan XI: Modric, Maignan, Rabiot, Tomori, Pervis Estupiñán, Pulisic, Gabbia, Santiago Gimenez, Alexis Saelemaekers, Youssouf Fofana, S. Pavlovic
Subs: Pietro Terracciano, Loftus-Cheek, Nkunku, Leao, Samuele Ricci, Koni De Winter, D. Odogu, Davide Bartesaghi, Zachary Athekame, Matteo Pittarella
Napoli XI: De Bruyne, Juan, Di Lorenzo, Lobotka, Politano, Meret, Anguissa, McTominay, Miguel Gutiérrez, Højlund, Luca Marianucci
Subs: Vanja Milinković-Savić, Pasquale Mazzocchi, Elmas, Neres, Lang, Sam Beukema, Lorenzo Lucca, Gilmour, Giuseppe Ambrosino, Antonio Vergara, Mathias Ferrante