Champions League: AC Milan Just Steals A Narrow Victory From 10 Napoli Players

JAKARTA - AC Milan won a narrow victory against Napoli in the first leg of the 2022/2023 Champions League quarter-finals. Playing at the San Siro, Thursday, April 13, the Rossoneri won with a score of 1-0.

Ismael Bennacer scored the only goal of the game. One goal which was positive enough for Milan to look at the second leg.

The Algeria international's first Champions League goal made the difference as Napoli, who lost Frank Anguissa in the second half, were unable to respond without injured star striker Victor Osimhen.

Luciano Spalletti will hope Osimhen, and his replacement Giovanni Simeone, is back fit for the second leg as Napoli look to overturn a narrow deficit at home next Tuesday.

Napoli actually has a number of opportunities. Call it the opportunity that Anguissa and Piotr Zielinksi both forced Mike Maignan to make brilliant saves.

However, their goal conceded in the 40th minute. Leao's beautiful collaboration with Bennacer left Napoli's goalkeeper, Alex Meret, helpless.

Milan should have doubled their advantage in the first half but Simon Kjaer's header hit the crossbar from Theo Hernandez's corner.

In the second half, Napoli also had several opportunities. However, Maignan was still swift in securing the net.

Napoli's efforts to catch up are increasingly difficult. With 16 minutes remaining in the match, Anguissa was sent off by the referee for two quick yellow cards.

Furthermore, Napoli will return to the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to host Hellas Verona in Serie A on Saturday, three hours after Milan started the match in Bologna.