AC MILAN INTO THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

A magical and historic night on which Coach Pioli’s Rossoneri progressed to the Champions League semi-finals. At the Maradona, the Rossoneri played out the sweetest of draws and, thanks to their narrow win in the first leg, made the final four of Europe’s elite competition for the first time in 16 years. Just like in the first leg, a devastating run from Rafa Leão was the difference in the first half, after a stunning piece of play that led to Olivier Giroud’s opener. In finding the net, the Frenchman made up for missing from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute. After the break, the Rossoneri remained compact and showed real character as they stood firm and resisted the Azzurri’s advances. Pioli’s men were also thankful to Mike Maignan, who saved a spot-kick from Kvaratskhelia late on.

Osimhen’s goal in stoppage time came too late to inflict any real damage, and wonderful and deserved celebratory scenes accompanied the full-time whistle. After making ten changes in Bologna, Coach Pioli reverted back to the same eleven who took to the pitch for the first leg at San Siro as Bennacer lined up in the playmaker role. With the Rossoneri fans in the away sector spurring them on, the team produced an aggressive and intense display full of sacrifice. Attentions will soon turn to the semi-finals, where AC Milan will face either Inter or Benfica. But now it’s time to celebrate. Well done, lads!

CHECK OUT THE GALLERY FROM NAPOLI v AC MILAN

THE MATCH
The match got underway as expected, with Napoli piling on the pressure and AC Milan looking to counter on the break. The Azzurri threatened through Kvaratskhelia (9') and Politano’s two attempts from the edge of the area, but without surprising the Rossoneri. The best chance to break the deadlock came from the spot: Mario Rui brought down Leão in the box after good link-up play with Hernández, but Giroud found the gloves of Meret, who guessed the right way to save after 23'. Five minutes later, the French striker had another glorous chance, after being set up by Tonali, but his left-footed shot on target was again kept out by Meret. A deserved lead for the Rossoneri did eventually come, though, after 43 minutes: Leão accelerated away and got past three defenders before squaring to Olivier who slotted home into an open net to make it 1-0.

The second half started off with an early opportunity for Kvaratskhelia, who fired over from a good position. The tempo of the game showed no signs of letting up, with AC Milan organised and compact up against the home side’s forward attacks. The Azzurri gave the Rossoneri backline a slight scare in the 58th and 60th minute, first through Kvaratskhelia, whose attempt was off target, and Lozano, who shot over the bar with his left. Changes from both sides didn’t alter the pattern, with AC Milan only conceding long-range efforts to the hosts. After 81 minutes, Napoli earned a penalty from Tomori’s handball, but Maignan got the better of Kvaratskhelia and made a super diving save to maintain the Rossoneri's one-goal advantage. The Azzurri did find an equaliser deep into stoppage-time through Osimhen’s header, after Raspadori’s cross in, but AC Milan held on to go through to the semi-finals!

MATCH DETAILS

NAPOLI 1-1 AC MILAN

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani (74' Østigård), Juan Jesus, Mário Rui (34' Olivera); Ndombele (63' Elmas), Lobotka, Zieliński (74' Raspadori); Politano (34' Lozano), Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia. Subs: Gollini, Idasiak; Bereszyński; Gaetano. Coach: Spalletti.

AC MILAN (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjær, Hernández; Tonali, Krunić; Díaz (59' Messias), Bennacer, Leão (84' Saelemaekers); Giroud (68' Origi). Subs: Mirante; Ballo-Touré, Florenzi, Gabbia, Kalulu, Thiaw; Pobega; De Ketelaere, Rebić. Coach: Pioli.

Referee: Szymon Marciniak (Poland).
Goals: 43' Giroud (M), 90'+3 Osimhen (N).
Booked: 45'+1 Hernández (M), 45'+6 Maignan (M), 45'+7 Di Lorenzo (N), 95' Olivera (N).
Notes: 23' Meret (N) saves Giroud's (M) penalty, 82' Maignan (M) saves Kvaratskhelia's (N) penalty.

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