In the eventuality that Napoli lead Milan by one goal at the end of regular time in Tuesday night’s Champions League quarter-final second leg at the Stadio Maradona, the tie will be heading for penalties.
But what could happen next?
Between the sticks for both sides are a pair of goalkeepers arguably enjoying two of the best seasons of their respective careers to date.
Alex Meret has been omnipresent in the Napoli net this season, only missing one of 40 possible club games so far this season, with only Lazio having conceded fewer goals in Serie A.
Meret has saved six out of the 30 penalties he has faced, with the most recent falling on August 31, 2022 against Lecce in the league at the beginning of the season.
Between his time with Lille, Milan and the France national team, Mike Maignan has kept 13 players out from the spot, including from Mohamed Salah, Radamel Falcao, Nabil Fekir and Memphis Depay, but has conceded 31 penalties throughout his career.
Four players between the Partenopei and Rossoneri squads have maintained a 100% record from the penalty spot.
Napoli’s Piotr Zielinski has four from four in his career and Milan’s Ismael Bennacer has not missed either, although he has only ever taken one for the France youth team.
For Milan, Rafael Leao has scored both of the two penalties he has taken in his career and Brahim Diaz also hasn’t missed any of the three he’s taken either.
Next up for Napoli in terms of conversion rate are Victor Osimhen and Matteo Politano, who have both scored eight and missed three for club and country, whilst Kvicha Kvaratskhelia has converted six spot-kicks and missed two.
La Gazzetta dello Sport writes that Stefano Pioli, however will be the one rubbing his hands at the concept of a penalty shoot-out because he has Olivier Giroud at his disposal.
With 27 penalties scored from 28 attempts. He is currently on a streak of 17 consecutive converted penalties in a streak that has been going on since 2012 – over a decade ago.