Olivier Giroud sent AC Milan into the Champions League semifinals on Tuesday by scoring the decisive goal in a 2-1 quarterfinal aggregate win against Napoli.
After Milan won the first-leg 1-0 at San Siro last week, Giroud’s first-half goal in the second leg — after having an earlier penalty saved — was the series-decider due to Napoli’s Victor Osimhen scoring in stoppage time for the Serie A leaders.
Prior to Osimhen’s headed goal three minutes into stoppage time, Napoli’s best chance came late in the second-half when Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved Khvicha Kvaratskhelia‘s penalty. Had that spot-kick gone in, Napoli might just have been able to rescue the tie, but Milan held on to make it to the last four.
Rapid reaction
1. AC Milan’s smart performance (and a possible Milan derby) heap pressure on Inter
Olivier Giroud‘s first-half goal against Napoli and a defensive masterclass led by Fikayo Tomori and Simon Kjaer secured AC Milan‘s first Champions League semifinal appearance since 2006-07 and upped the pressure on city rivals Internazionale to confirm an all-Milan derby for place in the final.
Inter Milan, 2-0 up against Benfica following last week’s first-leg in Lisbon, are strong favourites to finish the job in the San Siro on Wednesday and ensure a first Milan derby in the semifinals since the 2002-03 season, when AC Milan progressed on away goals before beating Juventus in the final in Manchester.
