Napoli's Juan Jesus (R) vies with Atalanta's Rasmus Hojlund during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Atalanta in Bergamo, Italy, Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
ROME, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Both AC Milan and Napoli registered comeback wins in Serie A on Saturday, as Olivier Giroud's late stunner helped the Rossoneri overturn Spezia 2-1 at San Siro and Napoli also rallied to beat Atalanta with the same scoreline.
AC Milan were coming off a decisive win in Champions League that saw them move into the Round of 16 after nine years, but needed a boost after their shocking league defeat to Torino last round.
The home side had a strong start and went ahead in the 20th minute when Ismael Bennacer delivered an assist, left-back Theo Hernandez chested it down to slot into home.
AC Milan failed to extend the lead before the interval when Rafael Leao's deflected strike hit the bar while Rade Krunic's follow-up was denied.
Spezia got back on level terms in the 58th minute. Milan's loanee Daniel Maldini broke into the box to finish with a curler, but the third generation of Maldini refused to celebrate.
Sandro Tonali thought he had restored the lead with a blockbuster, but it was wiped out due to Fikayo Tomori's foul in the build-up.
The game had been heading towards a draw until Giroud came to the rescue again in the 88th minute, when Tonali floated in a cross, the French hitman threw away himself to turn in an acrobatic volley at the back post.
However, Giroud was sent off by collecting the second yellow card for taking off his shirt during the celebration.
With the win, AC Milan overtook Atalanta for the second place, six points behind Napoli.
In a highly-anticipated head-to-head between Atalanta and Napoli, La Dea took the lead through Ademola Lookman's spot-kick gifted by Victor Osimhen, but Osimhen atoned for his error by scoring one and setting up Eljif Elmas to complete the turnaround.
Elsewhere, Empoli edged Sassuolo 1-0, Salernitana shared the spoils with Cremonese at 2-2. ■
Napoli's Stanislav Lobotka (R) vies with Atalanta's Mario Pasalic (L) during a Serie A football match between Napoli and Atalanta in Bergamo, Italy, Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
AC Milan's players celebrate at the end of the Serie A football match against Spezia in Milan, Italy, Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
AC Milan's Rafael Leao (C) controls the ball during the Serie A football match against Spezia in Milan, Italy, on Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
AC Milan's Charles De Ketelaere (C) vies with Spezia's Jakub Kiwior (R) and Michael Ellertsson during their Serie A football match in Milan, Italy, Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
AC Milan's Rafael Leao (front L) vies with Spezia's Jakub Kiwior during their Serie A football match in Milan, Italy, on Nov.5, 2022. (Str/Xinhua)
