AC Milan ended a 16-year wait to reach the Champions League semi-finals with a 1-1 draw against Napoli last night that secured a 2-1 aggregate victory.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) looks at the key moment in the game last night, which came in the 43rd minute of the first half Rafael Leao began his spectacular journey through space, time and the Maradona pitch.
He took possession of the ball in his own half from a distracted Ndombele, dribbled it, crossed the halfway line, accelerated wonderfully, surged past Di Lorenzo and Rrahmani, then handed Giroud the easiest goal he will score all season.
That proved to be the goal that earned Milan passage into the final four, and it was reminiscent of Ruud Gullit’s incredible run back in May 1988 as he provided for Marco Van Basten, a huge goal in the eventual conquest of the Scudetto.
The Rossoneri are back in the semi-finals of the Champions League after 16 years. Back in 2007, they eliminated Manchester United with the ‘Partita Perfetta’, illuminated by an unstoppable Kaka. Gullit and Kakà showed they are Ballon d’Or level players on the biggest stage, and Leao dazzled last night.
Maignan’s penalty save and Kjaer’s defensive effort – given he tamed Osimhen also deserve to be mentioned. It was a team effort from Milan, with a moment of individual brilliance at the other end being decisive.
