2023-04-18 22:43:58
AC Milan had not qualified for a Champions League semi-final since the 2006-2007 season. At the time, the Pirlo, Kaka and “Pippo” Inzaghi had even snatched their seventh title in C1. 16 years later, Olivier Giroud and Mike Maignan can dream of imitating their glorious elders.
The Rossoneri secured their place in the last four this Tuesday evening in Naples, thanks to a draw (1-1) sufficient after the first leg victory (1-0). Giroud opened the scoring shortly before half-time (43rd), after an offering from Rafael Leão, author of a sublime 70-meter run, with three Neapolitan defenders beaten in the process.
Previously, the Blues striker had seen his penalty – caused by the elusive Portuguese – pushed back by Alex Meret (22nd). The Neapolitan goalkeeper again intervened in front of Giroud five minutes later, before finally giving in, for the Frenchman’s fifth goal this season in C1. “I’m happy to have scored on a fantastic job by Leão, even if I could score before, he launched in front of the cameras of Canale 5. We made the match we wanted, scoring in the first period . With this state of mind, one can dream. »
Maignan, the penalty magnet
The essential Victor Osimhen equalized well in stoppage time of the game (90th + 3). But it was too late for the Serie A leader. The story could have been different if Maignan had not yet donned the panoply of “Super Mike” in the 82nd minute, pushing back the penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. His third out of five “penos” this season, in club as in selection (remember France – Netherlands).
The two Blues should find another Italian team, Inter, in the semi-finals for an appetizing Milan derby. The Nerazzurri still have to validate their ticket on Wednesday evening at San Siro against Benfica, after the success of the first leg in Lisbon (2-0).
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