Napoli Fans Brawl Inside Stadium During Crushing Loss to AC Milan; Video

• AC Milan crushed league leaders Napoli 4-0 at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona
• The Partenopei were without Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen who was sidelined by an injury
• Napoli's ultras announced a silent strike to protest rising ticket costs and increased security

Serie A league leaders, Napoli were given a brutal reality check yesterday as they were hammered 4-0 at the Estadio Diego Armando Maradona by defending champions, AC Milan.

Two goals from last season's MVP, Rafael Leao and one each from Brahim Diaz and Alexis Saelemaekers, condemned the high-flying Napoli - who were without star striker, Victor Osimhen - to a defeat.

The loss reduced Luciano Spaletti's men's advantage to 16 points over second-placed Lazio and also propelled AC Milan to third place, a point above Inter Milan, who lost to Fiorentina on Saturday.

According to Italy 24, Napoli's ultras protested ahead of the game.

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Those inside the stadium were ordered to stay silent to show their displeasure with club president, Aurelio de Laurentiis over rising ticket prices and increased security measures.

Napoli fans brawl inside stadium

The fans stuck to their agreement in the earlier stages of the game but went against their own orders after a brawl broke out in Curva B during the first half, as reported by Football Italia.

Another fight broke out at half-time, perhaps proving the need for security measures in the first place.

The fans turned their backs and only made insulting chants towards De Laurentiis but were triggered when some supporters cheered the team on.

The protesters' situation was not helped when things got worse in the closing stages of the game, with fireworks lit inside the stadium to cause pandemonium and send many running for safety.

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It was not the first time Neapolitans fans caused violence this season.

They were barred from attending the away game to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League after causing a disruption in the first leg of the encounter.

Spalletti laments Osimhen's injury

In related coverage, Sports Brief reported on Napoli head coach, Spalletti lamenting Victor Osimhen's absence after the striker picked up a muscle injury during the international break.

Spalletti started young striker, Giovanni Simeone - the son of Atletico Madrid head coach, Diego Simeone - but he was unable to match the Nigerian striker's impact for the Naples team.

Osimhen is also expected to also miss the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against AC Milan due to an injury he sustained representing his country, Nigeria.