Stefano Pioli insists the Champions League quarter-final with Napoli ‘remains 50-50’ even after Milan won the first leg 1-0, acknowledging they felt both lucky and regrets at this result.
There is a 1-0 lead for the Rossoneri to protect in the second leg on April 18, thanks to Ismael Bennacer finishing off a rapid counter-attack created by Brahim Diaz and Rafael Leao.
The Partenopei had more possession and shots on target, but Mike Maignan was equal to them and Davide Calabria made an early goal-line clearance on Kvicha Kvaratskhelia.
They continued to pour forward even after Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa received a very harsh second yellow card, so he will be suspended for the second leg along with Kim Min-jae, who was booked for dissent.
“I am above all happy to enjoy evenings like this with our fans. The history of Milan speaks to many Champions League victories, but the recent years saw us dream of getting here, so we wanted to enjoy it,” Pioli told Sky Sport Italia.
“We didn’t build out well from the back at the start, giving Napoli the chance to hurt us, but we got the first home win over Napoli in three years. It is certainly only the first half of this tie and it is all still to play for.”
Although it was the same XI that won 4-0 in Naples in Serie A on April 2, it was a very different performance.
“We have our strategy, but it changes depending on the way the opponents are set out and how the game develops. For example, Napoli were much more aggressive off the ball this time and mentality makes the difference too, so taking the lead or going behind can change everything. We knew Napoli could hurt us at any moment.
“I thought it was 50-50 before kick-off and that remains unchanged after this first leg. We were a little lucky early on, but never lost our balance, we always kept that concentration and sacrifice off the ball, allowing Napoli what is fair for a team of their quality. It’s true in the final 10 minutes we were unable to score a second goal and there are regrets, but the tie is wide open and that is what we wanted.”
Fabio Capello in the Sky Sport Italia studio wondered if Rade Krunic lacked creativity and it might’ve been better to put Sandro Tonali or Ismael Bennacer there.
“I respect Fabio’s opinion, but Krunic is doing a good job there both defensively and in attack. Compared to the other match, Napoli closed off our central passing channels and we should’ve used the width more rather than continuing to push through the centre.”
Paolo Maldini had spoken about dreams before the match, so is Pioli dreaming of a Champions League semi-final, perhaps against Napoli?
“It is lovely to dream at night, but more important to work during the day to make those dreams come true. I think over the last three years the support from the club has been fantastic and we always took it one step at a time, for us as a team and for the individual players. It is reductive to go further forward than that.”
The winners of this tie will face either Inter or Benfica in the Champions League semi-final.