Mueez Ajao
– AC Milan reached the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 16 years, after surviving a barrage of pressure at Napoli on Tuesday, thanks to a first-half goal from Olivier Giroud that secured a 1-1 draw and 2-1 aggregate success.
– Napoli battled until the end but could not break down the resilient Milan defence until Victor Osimhen equalised three minutes into stoppage time with a bullet header but it was too late as the referee ended the match seconds later.
– Milan will face either Inter Milan or Portuguese side Benfica in the last four.
Also Read: Merciless Milan leave 10-man Napoli blue
– After Milan won 1-0 in the quarterfinal first leg, Napoli pushed for the opening goal from the start as the visitors were forced to defend deep.
– Milan were awarded a penalty after 22 minutes when Mario Rui clattered into Rafael Leao but Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret dived to stop Giroud’s low strike.
– As a result of the intense pressure exerted by the hosts, Milan were able to exploit the holes in the home defence and went ahead through Giroud just before half-time.
– Rafael Leao sprinted with the ball from his own half past the Napoli defence before rolling it across to Giroud who slotted home from close range.
– Napoli had a glimmer of hope eight minutes from time when Fikayo Tomori handled the ball inside the box, but Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty was saved by Mike Maignan.
– Osimhen was shackled all night until his added-time header but it came too late for Napoli and their disappointed fans.
⏰ RESULT ⏰
🔴⚫️ Milan have done it! #UCL pic.twitter.com/9tn0U3TxRG
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) April 18, 2023
