Krzysztof Piatek on Tuesday said that it was “just the start” to his AC Milan career after scoring twice on his full debut as Gennaro Gattuso’s side beat SSC Napoli 2-0 at the San Siro to reach the Coppa Italia semi-finals.
Piatek, signed from Genoa last week as a replacement for Gonzalo Higuain, put the hosts ahead in the 11th minute before doubling the lead before the half-hour mark with a fine individual strike.
It was the second time in four days that Milan had dealt a blow to Napoli’s hopes of winning a trophy this season, after a goalless draw on Saturday at the San Siro ultimately left Carlo Ancelotti’s men 11 points behind Serie A leaders Juventus.
“I expected a night like this. I said that I was ready and I got a brace, but this is just the start,” Piatek told Milan TV.
“Both goals were great, even if they were different. I felt good tonight and it was marvelous playing at the San Siro,” he said.
Five-time winners Milan are to face either Inter or SS Lazio, who play today, over two legs in the last four as they look to go one better than their 4-0 final defeat by Juventus last season.
Piatek did not waste much time in endearing himself to Milan fans, latching onto a hopeful long ball forward from Diego Laxalt before calmly taking a touch and slotting the ball into the bottom corner.
The Polish international continued to torment the visiting defense and made it two in the 27th minute.
Piatek appeared to have few options when he collected the ball on the left-hand side of the area, but he cut inside two defenders before unleashing a powerful drive past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
The 23-year-old has now scored an incredible eight goals in only three Coppa Italia games this season, having scored four for Genoa against Lecce in August last year and a double against Virtus Entella last month.
Lorenzo Insigne looked to be Napoli’s biggest danger, seeing a shot saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma, before firing over the crossbar.
Napoli started to put some pressure on the hosts’ goal in the second half, with Donnarumma saving from Arkadiusz Milik and Adam Ounas.
However, Milan held on to reach the semis, with Donnarumma saving his best stop for last as he denied Ounas again.
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