AC Milan beats Napoli in tough UCL quarter final

The second leg tie between Napoli and AC Milan ended in a 1-1 draw at the Stadio San Paolo. The match was played on a knife's edge from the start, with both teams looking to take the lead and book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Are they going to reach the Champions League final?

Oliver Grioud man of the first half

AC Milan started brightly and were awarded a penalty in the 22nd minute after a foul on Franck Kessie in the box. Olivier Giroud stepped up to take the penalty, but he missed it, a poor taken penalty was saved by Napoli’s goalkeeper. The Rossoneri didn't let the missed penalty affect them, and they continued to press Napoli, looking for the opening goal. Their persistence paid off in the 43rd minute, when Rafael Leao produced an amazing dribble, which started halfway his own half, got him past Napoli's defenders and set up Giroud, who made no mistake this time and put Milan ahead with a well-placed shot.

Tense affair

The second half was a tense affair, with both teams struggling to create clear-cut chances. However, Napoli were given a lifeline in the 83rd minute when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Victor Osimhen in the box. But Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed the penalty. He took it on the same goal as Giroud earlier, but picked the other side of the goalkeeper. Maignan, who’s known as a penaltykiller, stopped it! Napoli kept pushing and were finally rewarded in the dying moments of the game when Osimhen scored the equalizer in the 93rd minute. However, it was too little too late for the Italian side, as AC Milan had won the first leg tie 1-0 and progressed to the semi-finals on away goals rule.

Overall, it was a hard-fought match between two strong teams, with both sides giving their all to try and secure a place in the semi-finals. While Napoli fought bravely, they ultimately fell short, and AC Milan will now look ahead to the next round with confidence and determination. How strange it may sound, but this season will feel like a disappointment for Napoli. They showed the entire season they are the best Italian team this year. The Serie A title is pretty much wrapped up, so they expected to do more in the Champions League. Especially when the draw put them in a very much Italian orientated side.