Napoli are in crisis, Napoli stumbled when they needed to show their best, Napoli failed to win against AC Milan in the two quarter-final matches and will have sleepless nights after failing to use a great chance to qualify for their first ever Champions League semi-finals. They surely had easer task than Chelsea, or Bayern Munich, who faced Real and Manchester City, but it seems that seven time Champions League winner and a team which sits below them in Serie A is currently better. Maybe Milan is a staggering 22 points below the Neapolitans in Italy, but they have beaten them three times in the last month, including tonight: Napoli – Milan 1-1.7 – Milan reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2006/07; the Rossoneri join Juventus as the Italian team with the most participations in this phase of the competition (seven). Return.#NapoliMilan #UCL pic.twitter.com/vXYUfViaiG— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) April 18, 2023 In the second quarter-final game, the visitors, who won the competition last time in 2007 under Carlo Ancelotti, had two great players: Rafael Leao and goalkeeper Mike Maignan. The Portuguese forward forced Napoli defender to concede a penalty (which Giroud missed), and then made a great solo effort and assisted the Frenchman for the winning goal. Maignan was hero not because he made great saves, like in the first game, but because he had one great save – Kvaratskhelia’s penalty in the 82nd minute. Unlike Rossoneri, Neapolitans just didn’t do anything. Their best players Kvaratskhelia (14 goals and 16 assists) and Victor Osimhen (25 goals) failed to make an impact. The Georgian missed a penalty, while the Nigerian scored a garbage time goal but was nowhere to be seen before that.First half was mega intense, as both set of players fought for every ball and sprinted all the way in order to gain advantage. As in the last week’s duel, Napoli had the initiative, Napoli had chances, but most of the shots whistled near the post. In fact, Milan’s keeper Mike Maignan only saw two shots coming directly his way in the first 45 minutes. And while the home fans waited for that first goal, Napoli’s Mario Rui made a stupid tackle in the penalty area on Rafael Leao, and the referee pointed to the spot. The most experienced player Olivier Giroud took the ball, but Alex Meret saved his shot. This was just the second missed penalty in Giroud’s career (the first one was in Arsenal’s shirt in 2012) and at that point, he was the guilty party. But he completely redeemed himself in the 43rd minute, when he simply tapped the ball into the net, after Leao’s fantastic solo effort and a following cross. Leao was also in the middle of another penalty situation, but this time he was the guilty party as he went for the ball but missed it and brought down Lozano. But to the complete surprise, VAR claimed this was no penalty.MAIGNAN SAVES THE PENALTY! #NAPACM pic.twitter.com/ZqTqcwCH6e— The Premier League Club (@TPLCSports) April 18, 2023 In the second half, Milan managed the game beautifully, winning fouls, slowing the game down and then breaking forward when opportunity arose. Napoli dominated again, but apart from possession they had nothing. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia broke to the goal area twice from the left, but both times the ball went over the bar. Milan were clearly concentrated on defending the 2-0 lead (on aggregate) as they failed to make a single shot until the 80th minute. Napoli huffed and puffed but made too many mistakes and weren’t concentrated enough to make a proper chance. When AC Milan’s defense finally made a mistake, Kvaratskhelia was unable to convert from the penalty spot. Finally Rossoneri capitulated, but only 90 seconds before the end. Too late for Napoli, and they can only blame themselves.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUEQuarter-final, second legTuesdayChelsea – Real Madrid 0-2 (0-0) /first leg: 0-2//Rodrygo 58, 80/Napoli – Milan 1-1( (0-1) /first leg: 0-1/Osimhen 90+1 – Giroud 43/Wednesday22.00: (2.25) Inter (3.50) Benfica (3.40) /first leg: 2-0/22.00: (2.85) Bayern (3.60) Man.City (2.55) /first leg: 0-3/***odds are subject to change
