AC Milan produced a spirited performance against Napoli on Tuesday night to advance to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time in 16 years.
Having arrived in Naples with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg, Olivier Giroud’s first-half goal swung the momentum in our favour, but a disciplined and resilient defensive performance from the entire team saw us through.
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With either Inter or Benfica up next, Milan will now look forward to a semi-final tie for the first time since we last won the competition in 2007, and it’s certainly hoped that despite that long wait for a return to this stage, it ultimately ends in the same outcome.
While that’s still a long way off, Stefano Pioli and the players will be fully focused on domestic matters in the short term and on who we will face next in Europe to keep this memorable run going.
Milan growth continues with European progress
From the qualifying rounds of the Europa League in 2020 to the semi-finals of the Champions League in the space of two-and-a-half years, it’s been some journey and growth from Milan to get back to where we want to be.
While we’ve enjoyed domestic success in that time – and there is still a job to do in Serie A this season which is vital – the ability to be competitive with the top sides in Europe was another big challenge facing Pioli and the players.
Even looking more recently with our group-stage exit last year, the maturity, progression and development from this group in Europe has been a joy to watch and it’s hoped we’re far from done.
Maignan world class
We’ve known for some time that Mike Maignan is one of the best in the business given how decisive he has been since he arrived and he’s undoubtedly further improved and developed his game too.
The French international showed his quality in the first leg with a string of fine saves to frustrate Napoli, and he proved to be game-changing again this week with his penalty save at a critical point in the encounter.
Those are moments that define games, and while he’s reliable and consistent week to week, Maignan continues to deliver those big moments when we need him.
Leao electric
While he’s had dips in form this season, Rafael Leao has still contributed 11 goals and 12 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions as he continues to prove to be a fundamental figure for us.
Just like Maignan, the 23-year-old also knows how to deliver big moments, and he did so again with a blistering run and assist that allowed Giroud to score his decisive goal.
With his pace, directness and technical quality, coupled with the composure that he showed in picking out Giroud with a perfect pass across, it was world-class play from the Portuguese forward and it’s hoped his future is sorted out sooner rather than later.
Calabria, Kjaer fundamental in win
All eyes were once again on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, as although Victor Osimhen was back from injury, the Georgian winger was always a major threat for Napoli.
Naturally, there were moments where his class showed, but the job done by Davide Calabria and Simon Kjaer in limiting his influence and threat was superb and instrumental in the outcome of the game.
Calabria stepped up in both legs to deliver tenacious and composed performances, while Kjaer’s experience and leadership continue to be integral in important games.
Giroud comes up big again
Having now celebrated a contract renewal too, Giroud provided a timely reminder of his class and his ongoing ability to make fundamental impacts in big games.
That’s now 13 goals and six assists in 38 appearances for the 36-year-old Frenchman so far this season, and it would come as no surprise if he added to those tallies in key moments in our upcoming fixtures.
He would have been bitterly disappointed to have missed from the spot and then having seen a big chance saved shortly after, but he showed his class and experience to keep his head and deliver a crucial goal to help us on our way through to the next stage.