GENOA: A penalty by French striker Olivier Giroud gave 10-man AC Milan a deserved 2-1 win at Sampdoria in Serie A on Saturday, sealing their first away victory of the season.

In Naples, Italy forward Raspadori struck the decisive goal in the final minute of a stodgy encounter at the Stadio Maradona, putting Luciano Spalletti’s side one point ahead of Atalanta. The 22-year-old swept home Hirving Lozano’s cross to net his first goal for Napoli on his second start after arriving on loan from Sassuolo last month.

Milan moved up to second place level on 14 points from six games behind Napoli, who are also unbeaten after edging Spezia 1-0 with Giacomo Raspadori scoring his first goal for the club.

Stefano Pioli’s Milan side ended their wait for an away win this season after drawing at Atalanta and Sassuolo.

His side opened the scoring in the sixth minute when Rafael Leao brilliantly set up forward Junior Messias in the box and the Brazilian put the champions in front with a low shot.

With his third assist of the season, Leao has contributed to 20 Serie A goals this year (10 goals, 10 assists).

Five minutes after the hosts went behind midfielder Filip Djuricic almost levelled but his fierce strike hit the bar.

Milan could have had a two-goal advantage when Charles De Ketelaere found the net with his back in the 21st but it was ruled out after a VAR review for offside in the build-up.

Sampdoria goalkeeper Emil Audero then kept out a great first-time shot by Giroud just before halftime.

Milan played a solid first half but things got complicated after the break when they were left with 10 men after losing Leao to a second yellow card for a scissor-kick which connected with the head of defender Alex Ferrari.

Sampdoria took advantage in the 57th minute when their Serbia midfielder Filip Djuricic deftly headed home a neat lofted pass from defender Tommaso Augello.

But 10 minutes later Milan regained the lead with Giroud’s spot kick after midfielder Gonzalo Villar had handled.

“It’s a moment that will stay in my head and heart,” Raspadori told DAZN.

Simone Inzaghi’s side were staring at another poor result at the San Siro after derby defeat to AC Milan last weekend and a midweek lesson from Bayern Munich until Brozovic delicately dinked home the winner.

“I missed two chances which I should have scored but thankfully the team put me in the position to score and I kept my head.” Raspadori was one of three signings made in quick succession by Napoli just after the season started alongside Giovanni Simeone and Tanguy Ndombele.

Another late strike from Marcel Brozovic gave Inter Milan a hard-fought 1-0 win over Torino to offer some relief from recent blues.

The Croatia midfielder met Nicolo Barella’s inswinging cross by lifting a superb finish over Vanja Mili­nkovic-Savic which moved Inter temporarily third.

“We were in difficulty, this win is very important. It’s a win for all of us, everyone who supports Inter,” said Brozovic to DAZN. Defeat was harsh on seventh-placed Torino who played well and forced Samir Handanovic into a couple of good saves when the scores were still level.

Published in Dawn, September 12th, 2022