AC Milan completed the job in the second leg against Napoli last night to book their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
This morning’s edition of Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) writes that Milan’s European dream can continue. Going into the tie Stefano Pioli’s side were the big underdogs, but the Rossoneri overturned expectations and secured a draw at the Maradona after their 1-0 first leg win.
That means that 16 years after the last time, the Diavolo are back among the top four in Europe and are now waiting to meet their opponent, which will be one of either Inter or Benfica. A Milan derby seems mostly likely, given the Nerazzurri won 2 -0 in the first leg in Portugal.
Milan showed a big heart, a great spirit of sacrifice, an iron defence, a super Leao, the usual decisive Maignan and an unbeatable Kjaer during last night’s match in Naples. These are the ‘ingredients’ that allowed the team to bring home a historic result, while Pioli prepared the match perfectly again.
Many said Milan would be the ‘sacrificial victim’ of the Neapolitans when the draw was made, but after the 0-4 in the league something changed and the balance shifted ahead of the three matches in 16 days.
Individuals made the difference such as Leao, who showed himself to be a real phenomenon to create the goal for Giroud, and Maignan who saved a Kvaratskhelia penalty to once again prove that he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
