AC Milan qualified for the Champions League semifinals for the first time in 16 years after Olivier Giroud scored the decisive goal in a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinal second leg against Napoli, completing a 2-1 aggregate triumph over their fellow Italians.
Giroud scored the game-winning goal two minutes before halftime after a scorching run by Rafael Leao, who was instrumental in Milan’s third victory over Napoli this month.
After missing a penalty midway through the first half, the France striker’s 13th goal of the season rescued his blushes.
Stefano Pioli’s side now faces a local rivalry in the final four, as Inter Milan leads Benfica by two goals going into the second leg on Wednesday night.
“I’m very proud of this team, with that spirit we can dream of anything,” said Giroud. “In the next round there will be another hard match whether it’s against Inter or Benfica, but if we keep this spirit we can go anywhere.”
Following the game, Mediaset showed Leao a film of Ruud Gullit setting up a goal with a nearly identical run in 1988 at Napoli according to skysports
“It’s the same,” a stunned Leao replied. “I try to go after players because that’s how I can make a difference.” If I am unable to score, I search for my teammates. “I noticed Giroud there.”
Milan have not played in a Champions League semifinal since being crowned European champions for the seventh and most recent time in 2007.
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Victor Osimhen scored in stoppage time, but it was not enough for Napoli, who are creaking as the season comes to an end. Luciano Spalletti’s once freewheeling team is struggling for goals, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also had a penalty saved with 10 minutes remaining a miss that condemned his team to defeat.
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