AC Milan are through to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 2007 after a 1-1 draw with Napoli secured their progress.
Napoli were just as enterprising from the off as would have been expected from the dynamic Serie A leaders. Though Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano all threatened early on, the visitors always looked prepared to bide their time and it was little surprise when they won a penalty after a swift counterattack.
Giroud was denied by Alex Meret from the spot and again frustrated by the home keeper five minutes later, but could make no mistake just before half-time. Rafael Leão took the bulk of the credit, though, picking up the ball deep inside his own half before slaloming past a series of defenders, drawing out Meret and squaring for his team-mate to slot in.
Kvaratskhelia nearly weaved his own magic early in the second half, but another two chances of his own went begging. Mathías Olivera was next to be culpable for the hosts when he headed off target; Napoli continued to seek a route through but Milan were comfortable, composed, unaffected by what was at stake.
All that might have changed with eight minutes left when Fikayo Tomori was adjudged to have handled inside the area, but Kvaratskhelia’s penalty was superbly saved by Mike Maignan to pile on further frustration for Luciano Spalletti’s side.
Mathías Olivera’s wayward header from point-blank range looked to have confirmed it was not to be their night, even if Osimhen’s added-time effort did briefly make for a nervy conclusion.
Reaction
Rafael Leão, Player of the Match: “I want to keep dreaming like all the players at Milan: we want to win the Champions League and we are one step closer to doing so. We have to try until the end.”
Stefano Pioli, Milan coach: “Congratulations to these guys. There will be two more beautiful, stimulating and very difficult games in the semi-finals. We have done a lot and we absolutely do not want to stop.”
Davide Calabria, Milan captain: “I am really proud of this team. We ran for each other in a spirit of sacrifice. When you perform like this, it’s no coincidence that you win, even against big teams like this strong Napoli side.”
Luciano Spalletti, Napoli coach: “Congratulations to Milan and also to my players. We had a great Champions League. We came to these games a bit out of steam, and we paid for our inexperience.”
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