Napoli vs AC Milan
UEFA Champions League
Quarter Final
Tuesday
18th April 2023
Diego Armando Maradona
SSC Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti will welcome AC Milan to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to face an uphill battle of huge implications tonight. The Italian top club is heading for the Scudetto, but elimination in the quarterfinals of the Champions League would be a blemish on the dream year. Especially if it comes against a domestic rival, who got the better of them twice already. The coach had good news about Victor Osimhen.
Relief in Naples after Osimhen’s return: “That will worry Milan”
The Nigerian top scorer was absent in the first leg due to an injury. On a visit to AC Milan, Napoli lost (1-0), so it now has something to make up for. In any case, Osimhen is back and even came in briefly against Hellas Verona (0-0). “It will worry Milan that he is back,” Luciano Spalletti said at the press conference.
“Milan plays attacking football, puts high pressure and defends on a high line. They take initiative, but Osimhen is a weapon that can make short work of that style of play,” the coach hoped for the whims of his attack leader. “We will be stronger than in Milan because of his return.”
In fact, Luciano Spalletti has only one decision to make. Due to the suspension of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, a spot in midfield has become available. He continued, “Tanguy Ndombele or Eljif Elmas will replace him. That won’t be a problem, because we don’t have eleven good players, but a very strong selection. They are also responsible for getting us this far this year.”
“Being active at this stage of the tournament is a compliment to all the guys,” Luciano Spalletti praised his team. The engine will have to run at full speed against Milan. “I can only be happy if we keep going. But then we have to play with intensity, create opportunities, play with the heart and make sure we use the spaces. We are at a disadvantage, but I expect a lot from my team,” he concluded.
