Two Serie A greats come together in the Champions League quarter-finals tonight as AC Milan welcome Napoli to San Siro. A domestic meeting at this stage of the competition is hardly ideal of course but there is big intrigue surrounding tonight’s all-Italian clash.
While Luciano Spalletti’s side are runaway leaders in Serie A, outgoing champions Milan recently smashed them 4-0 away from home. Whether that was simply a case of Napoli taking their eye off the ball given the league is wrapped up remains to be seen but such a big scoreline is certainly hard to ignore.
Milan pride themselves on being Italy’s most successful team in Europe. Though no longer the force of old, the Rossoneri have lifted the trophy seven times, trailing only Real Madrid on that front. With star striker Victor Osimhen missing for Napoli too, perhaps the Milan giants can spring a surprise. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog.
Live updates
Difficult to see Napoli coming back if things don’t change
Aside from the spate of missed chances in the first few moments, the Serie A leaders look so short of ideas.
HT: AC Milan 1-0 Napoli
If anything, Milan would not have wanted half-time to come when it did.
OFF THE BAR!
45 mins: Kjaer thunders a header off the bar from a corner.
Crazy to think how in control Napoli were in the opening few minutes.
Do Milan have Napoli’s number?
43 mins: Napoli just do not look convincing.
Milan a real threat on the counter all evening so far.
GOAL! AC Milan 1-0 Napoli | Ismael Bennacer ‘39
39 mins: Stunning turn from Diaz has AC Milan on the break and the Spaniard passes to Bennacer to crash one into the net.
AC Milan getting some composure
30 mins: Taking the sting out of the game, Milan are starting to deny Napoli the ball with which they tore them apart in the opening stages.
CHANCE FOR MILAN!
24 mins: Leao breaks from deep with a stunning solo run but puts his shot wide! Did all the hard work.
Will Napoli rue their missed chances?
18 mins: Milan appear to have grown into this of late. Napoli need an extra gear all of a sudden.
CHANCE FOR NAPOLI!
12 mins: Another top save from Maignan, tipping Zielinksi’s shot from 25 yards out over the bar.
CHANCE FOR NAPOLI!
04 mins: Anguissa forces a good save from Maingan.
