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Napoli fell to a narrow defeat at the San Siro, losing consecutive matches against AC Milan without their star striker Victor Osimhen.
AC Milan played hosts to Napoli in the first-leg of the Champions League quarter final on Wednesday night, April 12, 2023.
The visitors who are currently leading the pack in the Serie A title race were hoping to get one over the defending Scudetto champions in Europe having been humbled 4-0 two weekends ago in the league.
However, Luciano Spalletti's men were forced to learn the hard way once more as Ismael Bennacer's strike in the 40th minute of the first half proved to be the difference on the night as Napoli lost 1-0 to Milan.
Match Report: 10-man Napoli fall at San Siro
AC Milan recorded a 1-0 victory against Napoli in the first-leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-final tie at the San Siro.
Luciano Spalletti’s side who were without their star striker Victor Osimhen put up a serious fight against the defending Italian champions.
However, the Rossoneri defence proved up to the task on the night in their bid to set up a potential semi-final Derby clash against Inter in the Champions League.
After heavily defending in the opening stages of the game, Milan came close to breaking the deadlock after Rafael Leão embarked on a lung-bursting run, although the talented Portuguese winger eventually dragged his shot marginally wide of the far post.
Soon after, the Milan fans found cause to jubilate after a sensational turn and run from Brahim Díaz was finished off by Ismaël Bennacer in the 40th minute, with the Algerian midfielder smashing his first-time effort in off Alex Meret’s outstretched boot for his first-ever Champions League goal.
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Milan came close again to doubling their advantage before the break, as Simon Kjær’s header cannoned off the crossbar in a huge scare for Napoli who went into the break still very much in the contest.
Second Half: Zambo Anguissa sees Red as Kim Min Jae set to miss second-leg
Napoli started the second half well and looked determined to level matters after Elif Elmas’ header scrambled the woodwork much to the relief of Mike Maignan.
While the visitors continued to search for the equaliser, Milan defended superbly making a number of crucial tackles and interceptions.
Napoli soon suffered a setback as André-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off after receiving yellows for two fouls on Théo Hernandez in the space of four minutes.
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Soon after Kim Min-jae was booked for dissent and consequently ruled out of the second leg, summing up the away side’s growing frustrations.
Napoli came close to finding the leveller again as Di Lorenzo tested Maignan late in the second half before Mathías Olivera blazed his header just over the bar.
In the end, Milan’s defence got the better of Napoli’s attack keeping a fifth consecutive UCL clean sheet for the first time since 2004/05.
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Stefano Pioli’s men also ended Napoli’s run of eight consecutive away wins, as the league leaders hope to overturn the defeat in the second-leg clash at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium next Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Man of The Match - Mike Maignan
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The 25-year-old France goalkeeper was at his brilliant best at the San Siro on Wednesday night.
Maignan made 5 crucial saves against Napoli with three of those coming inside the box as the visitors failed to find the back of the net. With his impressive showing for Milan on the night, Maignan is our Pulse Sports Man of The Match.
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