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[monks data]
Milan logo
Serie A
Sep 22, 2013 at 7.45pm UK
 
Napoli logo

1-2

Balotelli (91')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Britos (7'), Higuain (54')

Pepe Reina: 'I studied Mario Balotelli's penalties'

Napoli's Pepe Reina reveals that he studied Mario Balotelli after becoming the first goalkeeper to stop the AC Milan striker from scoring from the spot.

Napoli's Pepe Reina has revealed that he studied Mario Balotelli's penalties closely after becoming the first goalkeeper to save a spot kick from the AC Milan striker.

Reina's save helped Rafael Benitez's side continue their 100% start in Serie A this season, with Gonzalo Higuain on target in a 2-1 win for the Azzurri.

The Spanish keeper has declared that getting Napoli's first win at the San Siro since 1986 was a huge motivation for his side, while insisting that there is still room for improvement under Benitez.

He told reporters: "As always, we studied the Milan players. We knew Mario was very strong at penalties, but I managed to get it.

"This was extra motivation for us, as we knew Napoli's last win here was a long time ago and winning in a stadium like this against a strong Milan side really boosts our confidence.

"As Benitez would say, we are still only at 73% It has been a great start to the season, but we are on the right track and like this we can win something."

Napoli are joint-top of Serie A with four wins in as many matches this season, setting the early pace along with Roma.

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Liam Power
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Milan striker Mario Balotelli misses a penalty against Napoli on September 22, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Napoli22172337152253
2Inter Milan20145151183347
3Atalanta BCAtalanta22144448252346
4Lazio2112363728939
5Juventus22813135191637
6Bologna2181033327634
7Fiorentina2096533211233
8AC Milan208752921831
9Roma217683127427
10Torino226882326-326
11Udinese217592432-826
12Genoa215881830-1223
13Como2257102736-922
14Empoli224992129-821
15CagliariCagliari2256112336-1321
16Parma214892636-1020
17Lecce2155111536-2120
18Hellas VeronaHellas Verona2161142447-2319
19VeneziaVenezia2136121934-1515
20Monza2127122031-1113


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