Former Milan and Azzurri coach Arrigo Sacchi has given his verdict on the ‘spectacle’ of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between The Rossoneri and Napoli and believes that either team could still qualify for the semi-final.
In his column with La Gazzetta dello Sport, the 77-year-old wrote that both teams had excellent spells during the first leg at San Siro, but ultimately his former side were more ruthless when given the opportunity.
There was particular praise for Brahim Diaz and his attacking qualities on the right wing and also for Mike Maignan, who Sacchi believes kept Milan in the game at certain stages.
“At the start, the dominance of Spalletti’s team was evident,” he said. “He created several opportunities and Maignan was very good. Milan, however, were able to resist and restart. And from one of these restarts they built the opening goal.
“Brahim Diaz was excellent who, in my opinion, has found his ideal position on the right wing. Overall, however, I admired an international spectacle in the first half. This is how you have to play: with courage, with the desire to amaze and to go beyond your limits.”
However, the second half display provided an interesting set of circumstances for both sides.
Sacchi believes that Napoli lacked discipline and Frank Zambo Anguissa was unwise to have been sent off, but the Partenopei were able to grow back into the game after being reduced to 10 men.
“The decline in the second half was quite straight-forward because the players had already spent a lot of energy. There was less brilliance, less pace in the play and Napoli made the mistake of getting nervous.
“Anguissa’s sending off is clear evidence of the attitude of Spalletti’s boys: A red card that was taken naively. And yet Milan failed to exploit the numerical superiority in the final match.
“If you think about it, it was Napoli who looked more likely to score afterwards and Maignan again outdid himself. I think it is impossible to say who is the favourite for the second leg, the tie is still very balanced.
“In the return leg, Napoli will be able to make use of the push from the supporters, and it is no small order for a team that must try to get back to winning ways. I still believe the chances of qualifying are 50/50.”