AC Milan vs. Napoli: 6 Things We Learned

A crisis already? Sunday night's defeat to Napoli at the San Siro heaps more misery on Milan boss Max Allegri, who was without several key players for the 2-1 loss. 

The Rossoneri couldn't cope with the visitors' technical ability or their pace and were badly exposed at the back. Only Mario Balotelli—who had a penalty saved—came away from the game with any credibility, and after another poor performance there needs to be some soul-searching done at Milanello. 

So what did we learn? 

Balotelli Doesn't Always Score Penalties

Who knew? The Italian had never missed a spot-kick in a professional game before Pepe Reina's dive denied him against Napoli. 

The shot was well-placed in the bottom right corner and struck with power, but the Spanish keeper got a hand to it, keeping his side's lead comfortable and ending Balotelli's remarkable record in the process. 

Milan Are in Serious Trouble

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Balotelli was the only Milan player worthy of being called as such against Napoli. The chasm of class between the Italy forward and most of his teammates was glaring, particularly with his strike partner, Alessandro Matri. 

Balo tried—and almost succeeded—to do everything, and on another night would have won the game single-handedly. He showed tremendous determination and commitment to work ceaselessly for the whole game, labouring to make up for deficiencies elsewhere. 

It was an admirable performance, but not the kind that's very desirable from the manager's standpoint. Allegri needs his whole team closer to his star striker's standard—and he needs it to happen fast. 

Napoli Are Serious Contenders

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The last time Napoli won a league game at the San Siro, it was 1986. Paolo Maldini was a rookie at the back for the Rossoneri, and he scored an own goal in the 2-1 loss. Napoli's other goal came from Maradona. 

The years between then and now haven't always been kind to the Partenopei, but Aurelio De Laurentiis has been working dilligently to rebuild the team into genuine title contenders. And more and more, it looks like he's close to succeeding. 

That '86 Napoli side was full of quality and went on to win the league. Few observers would now say for certain that this version is incapable of doing the same. 

Napoli are now top of the table with rivals Roma and showed the world just what they're capable of against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League. If they can keep this momentum up, Juventus will have a serious struggle on their hands. 

Milan's Summer Business Doesn't Look Too Good

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It's still early in the season, but on first impressions, Milan's summer signings are very underwhelming.

Against Napoli, Alessandro Matri was infuriatingly ineffective up top. The former Juve man needs to be more clinical with the ball and more physical off of it.

Valter Birsa put in a shift, but the Slovenian is of limited ability. Even this early in his Milan career, it's obvious enough why he was only ever a bit-part player at lower clubs like Torino and Genoa. 

Gonzalo Higuain Is Every Bit as Good as Edinson Cavani

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I've been saying a lot recently that Napoli have built a great side. And the finishing touch to it all was the acquisition of Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid. 

The Argentine is a dependable goalscorer at least the equal of Edinson Cavani, whom he replaced. But he's more than that, too, because Higuain also works more for the team and his contributions around the park allows Rafa Benitez to rely on him to not only score, but to also contribute to the overall balance of the team. 

How Milan could do with a player like him alongside Balotelli. 

Jose Callejon Was a Great Signing

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When Napoli brought Jose Callejon in from Real Madrid, it raised a few eyebrows. 

The 26-year-old had managed just eight league goals in two seasons with the Spanish giants, and a lot of people wondered what exactly he could bring to a Napoli side already blessed with plenty of attacking talent.

Little surprise—Benitez knew something we didn't. The manager has close ties to Real and obviously saw something in the former Espanyol forward that he thought his new club lacked.

So far, so good.

Three goals in three games is impressive, but it only tells half of the story. Against Milan, Callejon and Lorenzo Insigne linked up perfectly. The duo were a constant threat behind Higuain, displaying a good understanding and switching positions so fluidly that it caused havoc at the back for the home side.

He cost a million less than Matri and looks a far better player.