Twenty years ago, almost to the day, Inter and AC Milan respectively eliminated Valencia and Ajax to afford a Madonnina derby as a Champions League semi-final. And a few weeks later, AC captain Paolo Maldini held up the trophy, alongside… Carlo Ancelotti.
This time, it is from the stands of San Siro that the former defender – who has become the club’s technical director – vibrates with each European outing. With the dream of finding his former coach in the final. “Right following the draw, Ancelotti called me and said, ‘Paolo, see you in Istanbul?'”said Maldini.
A utopia ? AC Milan and Real Madrid have in any case each taken a small option by winning at home in their part of the table. Like what Inter did on Tuesday evening by winning Benfica (0-2), to already augur this Milan shock at the gates of the final, as in 2003.
Champions League: Real Madrid and AC Milan take an option for the semi-finals once morest Chelsea and Napoli
It is thanks to a united and very diligent performance, but also to the decisive saves of Mike Maignan (3rd, 12th, 50th and 87th) that AC Milan brought down Naples for the second time in the space of ten days. No question this time of largely dominating (0-4) the leader of Serie A. The Neapolitans even dominated part of the debates.
Once the few turbulences had passed, the Milanese however replied each time. With for example a ride from Leão (25th). And above all a lightning comeback from Diaz which resulted in a victorious cannon shot from Bennacer (40th: 1-0).
The Azzuri were then unable to inject the same energy to surprise the superb Milan organization which might still have made the break. The Saelemaekers team (up to 69th) might also regret it. Because Naples will recover its striker Osimhen in the return match on Tuesday. On the other hand, the Azzuri will have to compose without Anguissa, expelled (74th), nor Kim, suspended.
