Without the away goals rule, the chance is even greater that Napoli versus aC Milan could go to extra-time, and if there were still no winner than the dreaded penalty shootout would await.
As La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) writes, a 1-0, a 2-1, a 3-2 or a 4-3 for Napoli would mean we go to extra-time and fromt there a penalty shootout to decide who goes through to the semi-finals becomes a realistic possibility.
Looking at the previous, Napoli were beaten by Spartak Moscow in the round of 16 of the European Cup in 1990. At the same time, they won 2014 Supercoppa and the Coppa Italia in 2020, both times against Juve.
Milan of course beat Juventus on spot kicks in the 2003 Champions League final, while that evening against Rio Ave springs to mind when it took 12 penalties each for the Rossoneri to eventually go through.
The list of likely shooters for Napoli is as follows: Kvaratskhelia, Zielinski, Politano, Osimhen and Di Lorenzo. Of course, then we have to see if they will be on the field and in what condition, so other candidates are Lozano, Elmas and Juan Jesus.
The goalkeeper Meret has had all the information on the Rossoneri’s potential takers but, as always, he will count the situation, just like happened on 17 June 2020 when he saved the penalty from Dybala that ended up winning the Coppa.
Milan meanwhile have Mike Maignan who has conceded only 33 goals conceded out of 51 penalties (with 12 saves). His last penalty save came with France on Memphis Depay in March, and he stopped Mo Salah on a Champions League evening at Anfield a year and a half ago.
In terms of who would take them for Pioli’s men, it seems certain that Giroud and Theo Hernandez would be on the list, while Brahim Diaz and Ismael Bennacer should too. There are bench options like Rebic and Origi, or leaders such as Kjaer and Tonali.
today’s match result is draw.