AC Milan book semi-final ticket after drawing 1-1 against Napoli

 

Milan secured a spot in the last four of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2007 courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate win against Napoli.

Out of the three meetings between the Serie A sides this season, Rossoneri won two while recording a draw on Tuesday night at the Maradona Stadium.

Milan had won the first leg of the encounter 1-0 courtesy of Brahim Diaz’s goal. 

They got to the front foot at Naples again when Olivier Giroud finished off a sensational Rafael Leao.

The match also witnessed penalty misses from Giroud and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.

Knowing they would need a win to qualify, the hosts poured forward from the very start, Matteo Politano twice drilling wide and numerous corners in the opening stages.

Unfortunately, Milan would get the first chance of scoring against the run of play as they were awarded a penalty. Mario Rui had crashed into Rafael Leao after Diaz had released the ball to him.

 Giroud stepped up with a powerful shot but a very central spot-kick that was a good height for Alex Meret to parry. 

Napoli hit the target when Piotr Zielinski tested Mike Maignan with a finish that went through Fikayo Tomori’s legs.

Meret was again called into action, this time from open play with a tougher save than the penalty, using his leg to deny Giroud from 12 yards.

Just 34 minutes into the clash, Napoli had to make a double substitution as Matteo Politano fell awkwardly and seemed to sprain his knee, while Mario Rui also picked up an injury. Chucky Lozano and Mathias Olivera replaced the duo who had been doubts about featuring.

Milan eventually scored from a classic move from Leao, who was decisive at the other end, started the run from his half, and rode three attempts to tackle him before rolling the ball across for the Giroud tap-in from eight yards.

Osimhen’s goal was canceled just before half-time because he had charged down Simon Kjaer’s clearance with a raised arm.

 Kvaratskhelia couldn’t find the target twice, blasting over from a tight angle after the restart, while Lozano curled his effort off target too.

The closest was Olivera, who nodded a free header wide of the back post on a corner after 63 minutes.

Napoli eventually got a lifeline after being awarded a penalty when Tomori’s trailing arm blocked off Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s pull-back as it slid across.

Kvaratskhelia stepped up, but Maignan saved it.

Napoli continued to knock on the door and eventually scored through Osimhen, who nodded in the Giacomo Raspadori cross, but it was too late to turn the tie around.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed