AC Milan 1-0 Napoli: AC Milan won against Napoli for the second time in two weeks on Wednesday evening. In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, the home club forgot to deal the final blow. As a result, it is by no means certain that Milan will reach the semi-finals of the elite tournament for the first time since 2007.
AC Milan cracks Napoli code again
Napoli started the match strongly, with a great chance for the man in form Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. However, his effort from close range was cleared off the goal line by Davide Calabria. The Serie A leader wanted to avoid a repeat of two weeks ago, when Milan lost 0-4 in the competition.
Nevertheless, Milan also came into the game better. A dangerous move by Rafael Leão and a header on the crossbar by Simon Kjaer proved to be a harbinger of another difficult game for Napoli. Five minutes before the break, Ismaël Bennacer scored after a brilliant rush from Brahim Díaz. The midfielder shot his first Champions League goal against the ropes on a request from Leão.
Napoli did not give up and hit the crossbar in the second half via Eljif Elmas. However, without the injured Victor Osimhen, Napoli’s attacking game was a lot less impressive. When Frank Anguissa received two yellow cards in quick succession fifteen minutes before the end, the prospect of revenge for Napoli became clouded. The damage for the leader was limited in Milan, although strong holder Min-jae Kim did run into a suspension by collecting his third yellow card of the Champions League season. He will not be in the return leg of this Italian clash for a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Spalletti questions decisions: “Let’s talk about that corner flag”
Trainer Luciano Spalletti pointed to arbitration after the lost Champions League quarter-final. André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Min-Jae Kim cannot be used for Napoli for the return. The pair are suspended by their cards in the first quarter final. The red card for the midfielder from Cameroon in particular was a hard blow. “It feels unfair. But we are not doing anything about it,” said Spalletti after the 1-0 defeat in San Siro.
“We were about to switch him when it happened. It’s disappointing that it took us a few minutes to figure out who would replace him. I also paid too little attention to the referee,” the Napoli coach put his hand in his own bosom.
However, Spalletti had also seen a questionable role from referee István Kovács. He wondered aloud why Kim got yellow for commenting on the lead, where Milan striker Rafael Leão knocked down the corner flag earlier with impunity. He said, “If we talk about gestures, let’s talk about the corner flag. Then tell me about the message to kids that you can tear down a corner flag in a fit of rage if things don’t go your way…”
The Napoli trainer did not want to burn his fingers further. “Look, it’s all in front of you, it’s very clear. I need not comment further on the arbitration decisions. You can see for yourself,” he concludes.
