Champions League, Milan beats Napoli. The first act goes to the Rossoneri. Super Maignan saves the score a couple of times, a great game for the Rossoneri. After the 4-0 at Maradona, Pioli wins again. Appointment on 04/18/2023 for the second leg. A packed stadium in every seating order, atmosphere for great occasions and teams worthy of Europe’s biggest spotlight. Match somewhat conditioned by the Hungarian referee Kovacs, two players not ready for action and a draw in various situations. A penalty on Saelemaekers is missing.
By the end of the game there was a growing feeling that the hosts have something more than their opponents, although the Italian championship table says otherwise. In three comparisons, the Rossoneri always led the game. In the defeat of September 18, 2022, the result was deceptive, because Pioli’s men paid for the bad luck.
Champions League, Milan defeats Napoli: the first half of the game
Spalletti’s team leaves San Siro with regret and bitterness: the return on Tuesday without Anguissa (expelled) and Kim (warned and yellow card). Match worthy of the European stage by mezza, with opportunities, speed and intensity of competition. So much so that it seemed as if the hands of the trunk Devil At Pulcinella should remain a suggestion. Because between the choreography of the South and reality, it didn’t seem like we all had to see 22 points off the Championship.
But Pioli had said on numerous occasions that the Champions League would have been different and his predictions have lived up to their promises. Because between the wind and a heavy rain at the start, it is Napoli that cools the Rossoneri spirits: a fast path that cools the certainties of Milan and that can become a cold shower from the first exchange of blows.
The hosts could be down after just one round: Anguissa takes the goal from the right, the ball slides into the small area without any intervention from Kjaer or Maignan and Kvaratskhelia is blocked on the line Krunik to beat the goalkeeper. No time to recover before Maignan meets Anguissa. Di Lorenzo tries a header in a row, then Kvaratskhelia moves back from the left. In the 12th minute it was Zielinski’s turn with a fierce left-footed shot from long range.
You have to wait until the 25th minute to see Milan: Leao goes to Rrahmani, also resisting the return of Anguissa before launching a left that isn’t close enough and goes out to the left of Meret. The game has the merit of prolonging Napoli and Milan in the 40th minute: Diaz captures the ball in midfield, runs away through the central streets and serves Leao on the right flank.
The Portuguese completes the triangulation with Bennacer slotting in with his right foot, thwarting Meret’s touch. Before the break, Tonali also had the ball to double, then also three consecutive shots from the flag in seconds, with Kjaer flying his head up in the final corner and hitting the inside bar.
Champions League, Milan beat Napoli: the second half and Anguissa’s expulsion
Spalletti, who initially opted for the Elmas solution fake new To make up for the absences of Osimhen and Simeone, recovery begins with no intervention in men or structure. And after 5′ Kvaratskhelia fired a right footed shot at Elmas, who timed well and hit a header, forcing Maignan to retreat and deflect to the crossbar. Napoli stay there and Di Lorenzo crushes a right hand that finds Kjaer’s back.
The visitors kept the pressure up until the 20th minute, then Anguissa put his body in to stop Theo Hernandez in the 29th minute and got his second yellow card in 4′. A few seconds later, Yellow protests against the warned Kim Min Jae. In 10, Napoli try the same and only Maignan’s left hand refuses to equalize from Di Lorenzo. Olivera also tries a header, but the return shot fails. At the party of San Siro Cardinal is missing, but the Devil dance. Of course at maradona, Tuesday, there will be a new Dantesque group.
