Milan, Inter and Napoli have qualified for the Champions League quarter-finals and could meet in the next phase, but which one would be the best opponent for Serie A clubs?
All Italian clubs have made history in Europe’s elite competition this season as Milan and Inter have qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time in more than a decade, while Napoli earned a place among the best eight clubs in the continent for the first time ever.
There will be no restrictions in Friday’s quarter-final draw, so Serie A clubs can meet in the next round. This has caused a debate on whether a Derby della Madonnina would be good for Italian football, bringing many different reactions.
After winning two derbies from three this season, Beppe Marotta and Steven Zhang have suggested that they would not mind meeting their city rivals again, while Milan President Paolo Scaroni hopes for a different outcome.
Perhaps, this is why the Nerazzurri wouldn’t be disappointed if they are paired with their city rivals. It would be different if Napoli are drawn with Inter even if Simone Inzaghi’s side was one of the three teams able to beat the Partenopei this season, in the first game of the year at the Stadio Meazza.
Contrary to Milan, Inter have been more consistent in Europe, at the last over the last couple of years. This season, they eliminated Barcelona, remaining unbeaten in their two group-stage meetings with one win and one draw. Last season, they were knocked out in the Round of 16 by eventual-finalists Liverpool but managed to win the return leg at Anfield, causing trouble to Jurgen Klopp’s side.
An Italian derby in the quarter-finals, with the two Milanese sides facing each other or Napoli, will allow Serie A to have a representative in the semi-finals for the first time since Roma in 2018. However, as Esteban Cambiasso argued, a Derby della Madonnina might be too demanding at this stage of the season and could have consequences in the race for the top four in Serie A.
Overall, the feeling is that a meeting between Serie A clubs would be a sort of comfort zone for everyone involved. Inter, Milan and Napoli know each other well, they’ve had mixed results in their meetings over the last few seasons and an Italian club could return to the semi-finals after five years.
That being said, Napoli are surely one step ahead of the Milanese sides as this Serie A campaign has proved. They are enjoying an 18-point lead over second-placed Inter, their closest opponents and have lost only three games across all competitions this term playing one of the best brands of football in Europe, if not the best, as argued by Pep Guardiola.
Real Madrid, Manchester City and Bayern Munich have more European experience but if it’s down to the playing style alone, then Luciano Spalletti’s men are surely the most dangerous team in the pot.
Considering the eight clubs remaining in the competition, Milan are probably the underdog, although no team would be happy to meet the Rossoneri. It’s not about the quality of the team, let alone the club’s glorious history in the competition. However, Stefano Pioli’s men have, on paper, less experience than the other contenders, including Benfica who won their group ahead of PSG and Juventus who were dropped to Europa League.
Despite the sale of Enzo Fernandez in January, the Portuguese side is one of the trickiest teams to face, as the Old Lady know well, having lost both their group stage meetings. Chelsea have already beaten Milan twice this season but are struggling in the Premier League and do not have a clear identity. Despite their 2-1 on aggregate against Borussia Dortmund in the Round of 16, they may be the easiest opponent for Inter or Napoli.