UCL: AC Milan advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2007 after a 1-1 draw with Napoli
AC Milan are through to a first Champions League semi-final since 2007 after beating fellow Italian side Napoli 2-1 on aggregate.
A 1-1 draw tonight at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona sealed progression for the Rossoneri after a 1-0 win at San Siro last week, on a dramatic evening where both sides missed from the spot.
It marks another successful evening in Naples for Milan, who won 4-0 here in the league just 16 days ago.
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.
With Napoli now only fighting on one front, they travel to Turin to face Juventus on Sunday in a heavyweight encounter in Serie A, as the Neapolitans look to hold onto their 14-point advantage.
Milan now have a Champions League semi-final to look forward to, most likely against bitter rivals Inter Milan, but they still need to ensure they finish in the top four this season, with a home tie against Lecce next up for Pioli’s men at the weekend.
