A late goal by Super Eagles of Nigeria and Napoli forward Victor Osimhen was not enough as AC Milan advanced to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League after securing a 1-1 draw at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, progressing 2-1 on aggregate.
For Napoli, in-form striker Osimhen returned to the starting line-up after recovering from injury, with Matteo Politano and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia supporting on the wings. For the visitors, it was a familiar front-three of Olivier Giroud, Rafael Leao and Brahim Diaz.
Milan had a chance to take the lead when the referee awarded a penalty after Napoli defender Mario Rui fouled Leao in the box. However, Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret did well to stop Giroud’s effort. Then just before half time, Milan took the lead after Leao’s brilliant run found Giroud unmarked in the box and the Frenchman made no mistake.
Napoli looked for a way back into the game in the second half, but were met with a resilient Milan defence on each occasion. Late in the game, the hosts had a glimmer of hope when Fikayo Tomori handled the ball inside the box, but Kvaratskhelia’s penalty was saved by Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
- Read more: Osimhen On Verge Of UCL History
In injury time, Napoli striker Osimhen equalised with a lovely bullet header to make the scores 1-1 as the home side looked to leave it late.
Osimhen was well marked by defender Fikayo Tomori all night until his late header, but it came too late for Napoli and their disappointed fans as the matched finished in a 1-1 stalemate.
Napoli battled until the end but the seven-time European champions AC Milan showed its class to close out the thrilling encounter.
⏰ RESULT ⏰
🔴⚫️ Milan have done it! #UCL pic.twitter.com/9tn0U3TxRG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 18, 2023
Milan will now face either Inter Milan or Benfica, who meet on Wednesday at the San Siro with the Italian side leading 2-0 from the first leg. Milan coach Stefano Pioli said he would welcome a semi-final against their city rivals.
“It would look like that, as Inter won the first leg so well,” Pioli said in an interview after the match.
“These will be another two difficult, exciting and wonderful clashes in the Champions League,” Piolo added. “We’ve done a great deal and don’t want to stop now.”
Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results
Chelsea 0-2 Real Madrid (0-4 on aggregate)
Napoli 1-1 AC Milan ( 1-2 on aggregate).
