The probability of an all-Italian Champions League semi-final increased as Inter stunned Benfica and Milan edged in front of Napoli in the last eight of the competition this week, here are three talking points from the quarter-finals’ first legs.
A packed San Siro provided a cauldron of colour and noise as the Rossoneri rose to the occasion to overcome the Partenopei in the quarter-final first leg thanks to Ismaël Bennacer’s first-half goal.
Napoli midfielder André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off in controversial circumstances and will be absent for the return tie next Tuesday along with defender Kim Min-jae who was yellow carded.
Inter took a giant leap towards the last four in Lisbon as they shocked the hosts with two second-half goals. Dynamic midfielder Nicolò Barella headed home from a wonderful Alessandro Bastoni cross and Romelu Lukaku converted from the penalty spot to clinch an unexpected victory for the Nerazzurri.
Here are three things we learned from the first leg quarter-final ties in the Champions League.
Milan can bank on Maignan in Europe
Brahim Diaz was named man of the match but goalkeeper Mike Maignan showed he has few equals in the Champions League as Milan held off Napoli.
The French international ensured the Rossoneri travel to the Stadio Maradona next week with a goal advantage after a performance filled with a variety of world-class saves.
Uncertainty pervaded the Milan defence as backup Ciprian Tătărușanu failed to inspire confidence as Maignan recuperated from a calf injury.
Yet with the 27-year-old back as a permanent fixture in goal, Stefano Pioli’s men look far less vulnerable.
The flashy footwork of Diaz and the scintillating charges of Rafael Leão dominated the highlights but Milan were indebted to Maignan for their quarter-final first leg win.
An acrobatic one-handed stop to thwart Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo late in the second half illustrated the value of a goalkeeper who compares favourably with the very best shot-stoppers anywhere in Europe.
Osimhen’s absence leaves Napoli in a quandary
The perplexing inconsistency of Romanian referee István Kovács undoubtedly hampered Napoli as they lost out to Milan in a historic first-ever Champions League quarter-final tie.
Despite the contentious dismissal of Anguissa and a questionable booking for Kim, it was the missing link in attack which again posed the most problems for coach Luciano Spalletti.
There is no guarantee that 25-goal striker Victor Osimhen – sidelined with an abductor muscle tear – would have converted any of the chances the Partenopei fashioned as they overran Milan for extended periods at San Siro.
Regardless, without his ceaseless running, ability to drag defences into awkward shapes and aerial expertise, the runaway league leaders do not resemble the same side which has scared the living daylights out of Serie A opponents all season.
As the Milan rearguard largely nullified wing genius Khvicha Kvaratskhelia the decision to play Elif Elmas up front didn’t quite work as planned.
Missing Giovanni Simeone (thigh injury) and with Giacomo Raspadori still not fully fit, Spalletti must hope that Osimhen will come back to lead the line as Napoli attempt to overturn the goal deficit at home next Tuesday.
Don’t dismiss Inzaghi yet
Defeat at Benfica could have signalled the end for Inter coach Simone Inzaghi as criticism intensified after a dismal winless sequence of six games in all competitions.
The Nerazzurri lost to minnows Spezia, Fiorentina and drew at Salernitana in Serie A yet the 47-year-old tactician earned a reprieve as his side recovered to claim a brilliant win in Lisbon.
Inter’s almost comical profligacy in front of goal had become a major talking point, yet they took their opportunities at the Estádio da Luz with Barella and Lukaku on target to seal a morale-boosting quarter-final first-leg triumph.
Inzaghi opted to press high, counter at speed and defend with diligence as he silenced his many detractors. Bastoni performed flawlessly in defence and provided an excellent assist for Barella while goalkeeper André Onana again underlined his big-game credentials.
There’s probably more chance of Antonio Cassano and José Mourinho becoming best friends than convincing some Nerazzurri Tifosi that Inzaghi has a long-term future at the club, yet under his guidance, Inter are on the verge of a first Champions League semi-final in 13 years.
@SKasiewicz