AC Milan keep Napoli at bay in the Champions League semi-finals

Napoli failed to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals at home, drawing 1-1 at AC Milan after a week ago. Olivier Giroud scored the opening goal of the match, Victor Osimhen equalised in the set-up.

The home side finished first in the fifth minute, but Mário Rui headed just wide of the left post. A sold-out stadium drove Napoli forward, but even Matteo Politano’s long-range shot did not find the back of the net.

In the 20th minute, the crowd fell silent. Rui clumsily brought down Rafael Leão in the penalty area and a penalty was whistled. Experienced French striker Olivier Giroud took the ball, but goalkeeper Alex Meret made an excellent save, or rather Giroud failed with a wayward shot.

Seven minutes later, the Italian goalkeeper shone again, this time keeping Giroud out with his foot. After that, the game started to get very patchy, with Napoli having to substitute two injured players. In addition, they were denied a penalty and there was a slight frustration.

And it showed in the 44th minute. A cross from his own half of the pitch was finished by Leao into the whitewash, Giroud had an easy job after that.

After the change of sides, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia threatened twice, but missed the target on both occasions. In the 59th minute, substitute Hirving Lozano was the first to make his presence felt, but he missed wide with a left-footed shot from an angle.

The home side pressed, but waited until the 80th minute for another chance. The visitors played a handball in the penalty area and Napoli kicked a penalty. But Kvaratskhelia didn’t score either, he crashed into Mike Maignano.

Naples managed to equalise in the set-up from Osimhen’s header, but the Light Blues didn’t manage any more and end up in the quarter-finals. AC will face the winner of the Inter Milan vs Benfica match.

Source: Nova Sport