The second leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Napoli and AC Milan may be an Italian battle, but it will have the eyes of the world watching.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (via PianetaMilan) writes how fans around Europe as well as in Asia, America and the rest of the world will watch the ‘Battle of Italy’ tomorrow at the Maradona.
A goal from Ismaël Bennacer gives the Rossoneri a first leg advantage, but the tie is far from over and the return of star striker Victor Osimhen to the line-up for Napoli mean that it is a game with an outcome that is almost impossible to predict.
The clean sheet in the first leg is not the advantage it might have been since the away goal rule no longer exists, but this also means that the possibility of extra-time and even penalties remains.
It should be a very entertaining match. On the one hand, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s electric creativity and Osimhen’s killer instinct in front of goal gives Napoli a big threat, while Milan have had joy in the last two games against Napoli with Brahim Díaz and Rafael Leão.
It is therefore a match that could be decided or at least influenced by the brilliant play of one of the many talented players who will take the field.
The battle between the two coaches – Luciano Spalletti and Stefano Pioli – tactically will be a match within a match. There will be millions of spectators connected from over 100 countries to see this match: the hope is that it will not disappoint expectations.
