Reina breaks Balotelli run as Napoli edge out AC Milan
MILAN: Napoli keeper Pepe Reina ended Mario Balotelli’s career streak of 21 successive penalties but failed to see his side reclaim top spot on Sunday despite a first away league win over Milan in 27 years.
Napoli’s 2-1 win was their first Serie A victory over the Rossoneri at the San Siro since a side led by Argentine legend Diego Maradona beat Milan in April 1986.
But despite Rafael Benitez’s men dominating Massimiliano Allegri’s injuryhit side, the Azzurri failed to hold on to the two-goal lead that would have seen them reclaim top spot after Balotelli reduced the arrears in injury time.
It meant Roma, who scored secondhalf goals through Federico Balzaretti and Adem Ljajic to secure a 2-0 win over derby rivals Lazio, remain top thanks to superior goal difference.
Napoli, in second, also have 12 points with both sides now owning a two-point cushion on Inter, Fiorentina and Juventus after their respective wins over Sassuolo, Atalanta and Verona.
Napoli started in positive fashion and opened the scoring after just six minutes when Miguel Britos headed home Raul Albiol’s headed delivery from Jose Callejon’s free-kick on the left.
Six minutes later, Balotelli saw a wellstruck free-kick go a metre wide of Reina’s goal and Milan’s woes continued minutes after the restart when goalkeeper Christian Abbiati failed to hold a rocket from Gonzalo Higuain despite the Argentinian falling to the ground as he struck with his right foot.
Barely 10 minutes later Balotelli was fouled in the area but despite being unbeaten in 21 previous attempts for club and country in his career, he saw his spot-kick effort stopped by Reina.
‘‘Winning here after 27 years was extra motivation for us and we’re super happy to have achieved this feat,’’ said Reina, who played down his penalty stop.
‘‘Like all goalkeepers, I practise penalty stops in training and I study my opponents.’’