The excitement in this fixture is fascinating being an all-Italian quarter-final with the rich history of Milan in Europe and Napoli being without a doubt the best team in Serie A this term. This is certainly a clash between two Italian titans.
To Win Match
AC Milan 17/10 | Draw 85/40 | Napoli 17/10
AC Milan
AC Milan have huge experience in this prestigious tournament having won it a record seven times. Milan is the second most successful side in the competition but have failed to win it since their last final in 2007.
They have lost four finals – a record Stefano Pioli will look to correct in their quest to get their hands on that long-awaited Champions League trophy. AC Milan recent Scudetto winners will need to improve on their all-round game when they face high-flyers Napoli.
Pioli will be hard at work analysing and identifying ways in which he can attack Napoli. With the league title out of reach for Pioli and his men, he will put all the attention on this quarter-final clash and use the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza to their advantage when they welcome Napoli to Milan.
Pioli will need a master plan to limit Napoli chances, his tactics and game management will play a huge role in this game. The Rossoneri have not looked the same outfit this term, but still pose a huge threat if given the space and time to control the game and carve out opportunities for their attacking players to pounce on.
Napoli will have to be on the look out for the attacking prowess AC Milan have in their arsenal with the likes of Brahim Diaz, Olivier Giroud and the strong pacey winger Rafael Leao who is hot property now in world football and has proven himself to be a threat to any defender with his incredible ability to move past defenders with his speed and skill.
Napoli
Luciano Spalletti’s side have been superb this season having lost just two Serie A matches and have opened an impressive 19-point gap at the top of the table. The Parthenopeans will not get ahead of themselves but do look well on their way to secure their third Scudetto title in 33 years.
Napoli were able to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, a huge achievement for the club. Spalletti is trying to keep calm and work daily to achieve what would make him one of the most beloved coaches in the history of the club.
They have more confidence in the way they play and know how to play at the highest level now as they have shown lately. Napoli star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is one of the best talents around Europe. The Georgian player has already scored 13 goals in 29 games and provided 15 assists.
Kvaratskhelia has shown confidence to take shots from outside or inside the box, score from headers, take defenders on one on one with his dynamic pace and skill. You put all that together and the early returns suggest he’s on pace to become one of the best players around.
To add to the quality Napoli have in their roster, is the powerful in-form Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Osimhen has become a talismanic figure for Napoli this season and has put he’s name in the hat to be one of Europe’s top striker with 25 goals in all competitions.
The 24-year-old has proven himself at the top level, scoring in both legs of Napoli’s Champions League Round of 16 ties. Milan has a tough job on their hands in putting a holt to Napoli as Spalletti’s team are high in confidence, playing free-flowing football at a high intensity, and well organised with players who complement each other on the field of play. They do have the look of champions and are ready to stake their claim in Europe.
Verdict: Napoli Win (17/10)
Champions League football is different to league football, and anything can happen on the day. Milan do have rich history in the competition, but I think it’s fair to say that Napoli are the stronger team at the moment and will get the win to advance to the next round and could be considered a dark horse to make it all the way to Istanbul.
