So many times, we saw legendary Phillipo Pipo Inzaghi scoring for Rossoneri from highly awkward situations. Even in the Champions League finals against Liverpool back in 2007 (2-0 for the Italians).And AC Milan lacked a poacher of that ilk after Pipo retired… at least until tonight.Olivier Giroud, that 35-year-old French veteran, shone at Naples, just when Milan needed him the most. Also, he did it just like Inzaghi would, with a silly tap-in for the game’s only goal, which could be essential in Rossoneri’s quest for the domestic title.The fact the two teams were tied on the table ahead of the game – and that 1-0 away victory pushed the visitors to the top – tells a lot about the fixture’s significance. And Giroud’s goal, too.However, it was anything but a landslide victory for Stefano Pioli’s slot in the explosive atmosphere of the Diego Maradona Stadium.The first half saw a no-nonsense approach from the home side, but their vast presence in the final third didn’t result in a much-expected lead. That poured in lots of tensions among the Southerners, which caused a couple of horrendous tackles. Just ask Giroud, who ended on the ground, with his skin torn, but thankfully for him and his team, he resumed the game after a few minutes.Olivier Giroud scores the winner as AC Milan beat Napoli in a HUGE match at the top of Serie A.This title race 🔥 pic.twitter.com/8B2dJitXNC— GOAL News (@GoalNews) March 6, 2022 That proved crucial for the second half, as the French veteran recreated some of that never-forgotten Pipo Inzaghi’s ilk – soon after the teams returned from the break. It was a shot that seemed like going wide until Giroud put his foot to change its direction and put Milan in front.That one turned the tables thoroughly, as the Rossoneri felt a huge relief and started dancing on the pitch. Their rivals were blatantly outraged for conceding but gave their best to fight back.That was a defensive masterclass from Tomori & Kalulu.Had Osimhen in their pocket throughout the night. Didn’t give him a sniff.First time Milan’s kept a clean sheet in Napoli since 0-0 draw in 2009. Very, very impressive.#NapoliMilan pic.twitter.com/kqhWTenpCE— Sacha Pisani (@Sachk0) March 6, 2022 Victor Osimhen could have levelled the score with five minutes left on the clock. He stormed down the right flank and fired decently, but Milan’s keeper Maignan was steady and calm on the near post to deny the late equalizer. As the ball went to the other end, Theo Herandez tried his chances, but Maignan’s counterpart did the same, and it stayed 0-1.🎙️ @JP_Papin to #Gazzetta: “I’ve always said Milan will do great things with #Maignan. I think he has only had one bad night so far, if you make a mistake in a season, it means you are on top.” pic.twitter.com/dfommKY7pg— Milan Posts (@MilanPosts) March 6, 2022 As the time was ticking away, Pioli provided Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a chance to return to playing after a long absence due to an injury. It was him who kick-started a counter-attack, after which Saelemeakers was one-on-one with the keeper but failed to double the lead. Anyhow, there was no time left, as Milan leapfrogged both Napoli and Inter, who still have a game in their hand, two points adrift of their city rivals.SERIE A – ROUND 28FridayInter Milan – Salernitana 5-0 (2-0)/Martinez 22, 40, 56, Dzeko 64, 69/SaturdayUdinese – Sampdoria 2-1 (2-1)/Deulofeu 3, Udogie 12 – Caputo 13/Roma – Atalanta 1-0 (1-0)/Abraham 32/Cagliari – Lazio 0-3 (0-2)/Immobile 19 pen, Luis Alberto 42, Anderson 62/SundayGenoa – Empoli 0-0Bologna – Torino 0-0Venezia – Sassuolo 1-4 (1-3)/Henry 34 – Raspadori 2, Berardi 17 pen, 71 pen, Scamacca 29/Fiorentina – Verona 1-1 (1-1)/Piatek 10 – Caprari 20 pen/Juventus – Spezia 1-0 (1-0)/Morata 21/Napoli – Milan 0-1 (0-0)/Giroud 49/
