AC Milan’s Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic challenges Spezia’s Croatian defender Martin Erlic and Spezia’s Argentine midfielder Nahuel Estevez during the Italian Serie A football match Spezia vs AC Milan on February 13, 2021 at the Alberto-Picco stadium in La Spezia.Marco BERTORELLO / AFP
But goals from Giulio Maggiore and Simone Bastoni on a historic night for Spezia mean Inter will move one point ahead of their city rivals, with the Milan derby coming up next weekend, on Sunday night if they beat a Lazio side on a run of six straight league wins.“It was beyond even my wildest dreams,” said Bastoni, whose spectacular strike was his first in Serie A.
However the Italy stopper could do nothing in the 56th minute when after a sweeping passing move Maggiore found himself completely unmarked within spitting distance of the goal and slotted the home side ahead. “We’re happy with the result but most of all the display, because we worked as a team and fought together… We’re still a united team and we brought the win home,” said Insigne, who had missed his previous three penalties against Juve.
Replacement Alex Meret was a key to Napoli’s win, making three crucial saves behind a backline missing starting centre-backs Kalidou Koulibaly and Kostas Manolas.