If you’re up for a first-ever UEFA Champions League clash between AC Milan and Napoli, then mark your calendar. On April 2, 2023, the two Italian sides will fight it out for a spot in the semis, where the stronger team will meet either Benfica or Inter. Here’s what there is to know about what will definitely be a superb first-leg tie.
AC MILAN
The reigning Serie A champions have fallen from grace in more ways than one. With 23 points away from a scintillating, first-placed Napoli side, AC Milan has long abandoned hope of retaining the title. The Rossoneri’s cup runs have ended as poorly, with a 1-0 home loss to 10-men Torino in the Coppa Italia and a 3-0 trampling in the Super Cup against Inter. Making it this far in the Champions League represents a glimmer of hope that not all is lost this season. After seeing off Tottenham, AC Milan prepares to host Napoli at the San Siro for the first time in a UCL fixture.
The year 2023 has seen a horrific string of performances by Stefano Pioli’s side, with just four wins from the last 12 Serie A games and a good six losses. The Rossoneri’s Champions League performance, however, was that of a composed team whose head was in the game from start to finish. Perhaps it’s because of its stature in the UCL or because of a sharper focus during important games; regardless, AC Milan players will have to pool in the effort to limit Napoli’s devastating duo: Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
AC Milan steps into the game as an underdog at 3.15. The correct score to be 2-1 in AC Milan’s favour is at 8.75, whereas a red-and-black clean sheet is priced at 3.70.
NAPOLI
The Partenopei have been flying, but this isn’t news to anyone—their results speak for themselves. Napoli has won 20 out of their last 22 Serie A fixtures while also topping its Champions League group. In the Round of 16, Luciano Spalletti’s men cruised to a 5-0 victory on aggregate against Eintracht Frankfurt. Sensational vision, accurate passing, cog-like player movement…Napoli seems to have it all. A defeat on penalties to Cremonese in the Coppa Italia is the only stain on what has been a perfect season so far for the Partenopei. Can Napoli send its fans to dreamland with an ousting of AC Milan?
Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have been stealing headlines, but the talents of Stanislav Lobotka, Piotr Zielinksi and Frank Anguissa cannot go unnoticed. Spalletti has done an astounding job to combine his talent-laden team into a powerhouse of modern football that oozes a synergy still foreign to other renowned clubs like PSG, to name one. Napoli has already beaten AC Milan at the San Siro this season with a scoreline of 2-1, although it was far from an easy feat. The Rossoneri aren’t experiencing their best run of form, which is why there was never a more opportune moment to clinch a historic UCL semi-final qualification.
Napoli goes in as the strong favourite to win the first-leg fixture at 2.25. The Partenopei to be in front by half-time is listed at 2.95, with a half-time clean sheet for Napoli valued at 1.50.
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*Odds subject to change. Odds correct at time of publishing