Napoli vs AC Milan summary: Osimhen goal, score, goals, highlights | Champions League quarter-final 22/23
Napoli vs AC Milan: As it happened
AC Milan are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League after a brilliant perfomance at the home of the runaway Serie A leaders.
Facing a one-goal defecit from the first leg, hosts Napoli knew that they needed to score and came out of the block sharply to put Milan under pressure. Luciano Spalletti's side managed a few half chances but it was Milan who made the first real impact.
Rafael Leao's quick feet in the Napoli box won his side a penalty, but Olivier Giroud's spot kick was palmed wide by Alex Meret.
However the duo combined again within minutes. Leao's powerful running finding him one-on-one with Meret and the Portuguese forward slid the ball to Giroud for a simple finish.
Napoli began the second half knowing that they needed two goals to save their European campaign but became increasingly ponderous in possession.
Milan appeared to be closing the game out expertly when a freak handball, probably fairly given, against Fikayo Tomori presented Napoli with a glorious chance with ten minutes remaining. Kvaratskhelia stepped up and saw his penalty saved by the impressive Mike Maignan in the Milan goal.
Victor Osimhen pulled one back in the 93rd minute but it was too little to late for the hosts, who fell to a 2-1 aggregate defeat.
For Milan it was a glorious night and a return to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2006/07, the year they were last crowned European champions.
They couldn't, could they?
Elite company for tonight's stoppers
Even in the high-pressure evironment of a Champions League quarter-final, it's pretty rare for goalkeepers to save two spot kicks in a single game. The last time it happened was in 2016, when Bayern Munich met Atletico Madrid.
The keepers that day? Manual Neur and Jan Oblak.
Napoli struggle against Milan
For the third time this month Napoli have faced AC Milan, and for the third time they leave empty-handed. Here's how those games have played out.
2nd April: Napoli 0-4 AC Milan
12th April: AC Milan 1-0 Napoli
18th April: Napoli 1-1 AC Milan
A late header from Victor Osimhen may have secured a draw on the night but it wasn't enough to extend Napoli's stay in the Champions League.
AC Milan back at the top table
After a 16-year absence, AC Milan are back at the top table of European football. For this season, at least.
The Rossoneri equal Juventus' Italian record of seven appearances in the final four of the Champions League. Mike Maignan played a crucial role in their victory tonight with a number of big stops and a late penalty save.
Napoli will go on to win Serie A this season, but it is AC Milan who continue in the Champions League.
Defensive masterclass from AC Milan
That's how you do it! Pioli's side progress to the semi-finals with an astonishing 26% of the possession at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Here's the story of the game, from our friends at Sofascore...
Confirmed! AC Milan progress
There we are, despite the late goal AC Milan are through to the semi-finals of the Champions League!
The seven-time European champions reach the final four for the first time since 2006/07, when they last won the famous trophy...
FULL TIME
They can't.
AC Milan substitutes pile onto the pitch to celebrate a famous result against their Serie A rivals. What a performance from Stefano Pioli's men.
AC Milan are in the semi-finals of the Champions League!
GOAL GOAL GOAL! Napoli
It's in the net! It's in Milan's net! There's little more than a minute to go but the hosts have a lifeline.
They can't, can they??
CHANCE! Napoli
Kvaratskheilia hoists the ball into the box for Osimhen but it's pushed wide for a corner.
Four additional minutes
It's not what Spalletti will have wanted. Just a few minutes to score twice. AC Milan can almost taste it now...
CHANCE! Napoli
Hirving Lozano has impressed since his introduction and he darts into the AC Milan box once again to get a strike on goal. His right-footed shot is on target but is deflected wide.
Napoli fans in the stands are starting to look resigned to their fates...
Do Milan have Napoli's number?
With just two minutes of the 90 still to play in Naples, it's beginning to look like AC Milan might be the kryptonite for this incredible Napoli team. Can the hosts conjure something in the final few here?
Alexis Saelemaekers / Rafael Leao
The fantastic Rafael Leao is replaced. Will Milan miss his threat on the break?
For all AC Milan's defensive solidity it's felt like Napoli could turn the game on its head with a single chance.
The question now - was that it?
AND HE'S MISSED
Astonishing. For the second time this game, a goalkeeper makes a brilliant save to deny the penalty taker.
Heartbreak for the Georgian, ecstacy for Milan. Not long to go now, can Napoli go again?
Who's taking? It's Kvaratskheilia standing over the ball...
PENALTY! Napoli
Wow. Wow. Wow.
Handball on Tomori, no hesitation from the referee, but there was little the Englishman could have done there. It will, of course, be checked...
Luciano Spalletti looks increasingly exasperated in the Napoli technical area. It's not gone right for his side so far tonight with neither Osimhen or Kvaratskheilia given the time or space to affect the game.
Little over ten minutes of the regulation remaining...
Nerves? What nerves!
It's been an incredibly assured performance this half from Stefano Piolo's side, strangling the game and silencing the crowd.
Can they see out a famous win?
Giacomo Raspadori / Piotr Zielinski
On-loan centre forward Raspadori joins Osimhen up front. Napoli will need a bit of magic to break down Pioli's side.
There's 20 minutes to go
Where do we stand then? AC Milan just need to avoid conceding twice and they will be in the semi-final, potentially against city rivals Inter. They will sit back and let Rafael Leao surge forward on the break.
Napoli need to push, they've not really fashioned a clear opening all game and time's running out. Osimhen has cut a frustrated figure this half and Milan aren't allowing him any space in behind.
In short, it'll be attack vs defence for the next twenty minutes in Naples. Who's your money on?
Divock Origi / Olivier Giroud
Milan goal scorer Olivier Giroud departs for Origi, who has a decent history in the Champions League.
You can say that again, @ChampionsLeague
The hosts haven't quite hit the heights yet. Plenty of the ball, lots of attacking intent, but Milan are preventing them from carving out any real chances here. About 25 minutes left of normal time.
Great defensive header from Kjaer to divert a cross away from the lurking Victor Osimhen. Oliviera goes close from the resultant corner for Napoli.
CHANCE! Napoli
Hirving Lozano, who has looked pretty lively since entering the fray, skips inside to fire a left-footed shot over the bar. It's not the clear-cut chance that Spalletti will be hoping for but they are now starting to stretch Milan.
With half an hour remaining it now seems like just a matter of time until Napoli forge a clear opening. But will they take it? That's the question...
Junior Messias / Brahim Diaz
Just short of the hour mark, AC Milan make their first change.
CHANCE! Napoli
But back to it in Naples, where the home side are huffing and puffing to get back into the tie. Kvaratskheilia shows some neat footwork to dance into the Milan box but fires over from an angle.
It wasn't close, but it will give the home support a bit of a confidence boost...
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Rodrygo has put the European champions 1-0 up at Stamford Bridge, giving Real Madrid 3-0 lead in the tie. If you want to follow all the action live from London, check out Joe's minute-by-minute right here...
Rafael Leao skips by Stanislav Lobotka Tanguy Ndombele. / ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP
Leao's on fire
It's a sight we've seen plenty of in the opening 52 minutes in Naples: Rafael Leao surging through Napoli challenges with his direct running. It wouldn't take too long to describe Milan's tactics this evening (sit back + give it to Leao) but it's certainly proving effective.
It's a similar set up so far this half, Napoli pushing forward with AC Milan standing strong. Can Napoli keep the back door shut this time?
And we're off!
One of these sides will be out of the Champions League later tonight, but who will it be?
'That Rafael Leao run was absolutely brilliant'
Having had a minute to catch my breath and reflect on a thrilling first 45, I'm afraid that's as insightful as I can be.
A 60-yard assist from the Portuguese star. We're nearly underway for the second half...
Olivier Giround makes ammends
Missed a penalty in the second leg of a Champions League quarter-final? Don't worry about it! Simply pick yourself up and fire home another just minutes later. Milan are two goals to the good with 45 minutes left to play in this tie.
What a half of football. Napoli have pushed and pulled but the AC Milan back line has stayed, largely, resolute.
The hosts carved out a few good chance, with Kvaratskheilia posing a danger from the left throughout. Mike Maignan was called into action a few times in the Milan goal but it was the visitors who enjoyed the clearest of the openings.
The first, a penalty for a foul on Rafael Leao, was brilliantly saved by Alex Meret in the Napoli goal but Olivier Giroud made ammends for the miss shortly after.
Once again Leao was the architect, this time with a scintillating run from his own half before rolling the ball to Giround to finish. The 36-year-old roared with delight as the ball hit the back of the net two give his side a two-goal cushion.
Napoli could point to a disallowed goal and a decent shout for a penalty, but with 45 minutes left to play they will have to improve if they are to continue their European adventure.
Half time: Phew...
A brilliant first 45 minutes that saw AC Milan double their aggregate lead. But plenty of chances for the hosts and reason to believe that we're in for a cracker in the second half.
CHANCE! Napoli
At last the ball's in the Milan net, but the whistle was blown. Victor Osimhen fires past Mike Maignan but the Napoli striker was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Replays show that he did.
Six minutes added!
It could have been more, in all honesty.
What a half of football at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Throughout the first half AC Milan have looked pretty dangerous on the counter attack. This time, Rafael Leao 'was' the counter-attack.
The Portuguese forward picked the ball up in his own half, surged towards the Napoli backline and found himself through on goal. Even more incredibly, the 36-year-old Oliver Giroud had managed to keep up and was on hand to fire Leao's square ball into the net.
2-0 on aggregate!
GOALLLLL! AC Milan
There it is, Olivier Giroud makes ammends. But what a run from Rafael Leao!
Italian football, aye? Slow, considered, a bit boring...
Not on the evidence of the first 40 minutes here. Agressive football, chances aplenty and some meaty challenges flying in. What more could you ask for on Champions League night?
It was a clumsy challenge by Rafael Leao of all people. He slid in at the crucial moment just as Hirving Lozano was about to pull the trigger, getting a decent chunk of both man and ball. Decent shout for a spot kick, but probably rightly dismissed.
If nothing else, it's got the fans going!
Penalty check for Napoli?
Hirving Lozano, straight into the action, down under a heavy challenge... But NO PENALTY.
On we go...
Mathias Olivera / Mario Rui
And another one! Looks like it was a double change for the hosts, Rui was also down in recent minutes. Two first half changes for Napoli, how will they respond?
Matteo Politano / Hirving Lozano
Yep, that's Politano's night over. Disappointing for the 29-year-old Italian.
Matteo Politano (Napoli)
The Napoli winger went down near the corner flag, possibly having caught his studs in the turf. It doesn't look good for the winger and Spalletti is readying replacements on the touchline.
CHANCE! Milan
Alex Meret keeps out Olivier Giroud again! The Napoli stopper's trailing leg denies the Frenchamn a certain goal. The hosts are living a little dangerously here, Milan pose a real threat on the break.
Second ever penalty miss for Giroud
That spot kick was the 29th of the Frenchman's career and only the second time that he's failed to hit the back of the net.
The only other time he's missed? A 6-1 EFL Cup demolition of Coventry City back in 2012. The stakes, you feel, are a little higher tonight...
We have a break in play here, chance to take a breath and reflect on what we've seen. Napoli dominated the ball in the opening stages and fashioned a few half chances without ever really troubling Mike Maignan in the Milan goal.
But the visitors caught the hosts on the break and Raphael Leao's quick footwork won Pioli's side a penalty. Giroud, 36 years of age, stood up to take but his firmly struck spot kick was parried wide by Alex Meret.
Still 1-0 to Milan on aggregate, but Napoli will take heart from that near miss.
SAVED! ALex Meret makes the stop
Sensational scenes in Naples as Meret dives to his left to deny Giroud. What a roar!
PENALTY! Milan
And the visitors go up the other end and create an opportunity to take control of the tie. Giroud steps up...
CHANCE! Napoli
It's a familiar feeling for the hosts as the ball whistles just wide of Maignan's post. Still 0-0 with 20 on the clock.
ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP
End-to-end start in Naples
Serie A bragging rights? Semi-final place on the line? Nervous?
Napoli are on the front foot looking to dominate procedings but Milan aren't content to sit back. It's got the makings of a UCL cracker in Naples.
It's been a frenetic start in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Naples on top. The stadium is packed and confidence is clearly high, but they know Milan pose a threat on the break.
And as I write that, Tonali sends in a dangerous ball into the Napoli box... Not this time.
CHANCE! Napoli
Another opening for the hosts as Kvaratskhelia darts inside Milan full-back Davide Calabria but fires straight at Maignan. Naples is buzzing and the hosts are dominating the play here!
CHANCE! Napoli
The free kick was deflected wide but Napoli fashion a real opening from the resulting corner. Header tipped wide by Maignan, but a very promising start for the hosts.
Free-kick to Napoli
The hosts have wasted no time in taking control of the game, pushing up high to win the ball back in dangerous areas. After doing just that the ball fell to Kvaratskhelia, who won a free kick.
So, a refresher from the first leg. AC Milan have a 1-0 lead so they just need a draw to return to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2006/07.
Napoli need a win, but have the goal-scoring prowess of Victor Osimhen back in the side after a month-long absense.
It's finely poised, with European success on the line...
And we're off...
We're underway in Naples, with the hosts immediately on the attack!
Milan put through their paces in the warm up
The atmosphere is electric in the Stadio Diego Armanda Maradona in preparation for a massive all-Italian Serie A clash. Milan are far adrift of Napoli in the league but hold a one-goal advantage from the first leg. Can Pioli's side return to the semi-final, where they face a winnable game?
Olivier Giroud leads the line at the age of 36, while his compatriot Mike Maignan is between the sticks. It's a massive night in the illustrious history of AC Milan.
Napoli on the brink of historic season
Napoli have been in incredible form this season and are on the march for a first title win in more than 30 years. But things look a lot less rosy last summer.
Club supporters known as Ultras have been on strike at point of the season, essentially boycotting games, due to various grievances. This has included security arrangements, ticket prices, and accusations against owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.
Napoli's manager, Luciano Spalletti, finds the strike to be a distraction and threatened to resign if it happened again. Any protests have been called off for this game, though, with everyone pushing for an historic end to the season.
However, the club has broadly overperformed under De Laurentiis's leadership, with 13 consecutive seasons in European competition and talented signings such as Gonzalo Higuaín, Edinson Cavani, and Dries Mertens. They now stand on the brink of something truly special.
Team confirmation: Napoli vs AC Milan
Confirmation of tonight's teams. Osimhen in, Giroud back, let's go...
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesús, Rui; Zielinski, Lobotka, Ndombélé; Politano, Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen.
AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernández; Bennacer, Tonali; Leao, Krunic, Díaz; Giroud.
And the Napoli starting XI
Here's the host's line-up for this evening. Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder replaces Frank Anguissa in the middle, while Juan Jesus is drafted in to the defence.
But the big news for Napoli fans; Victor Osimhen returns to the starting team. Hold onto your hats...
Napoli vs AC Milan: Starting XI
Confirmation of tonight's teams. Osimhen in, Giroud back, let's go...
Napoli XI: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Jesús, Rui; Zielinski, Lobotka, Ndombélé; Politano, Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen.
AC Milan XI: Maignan; Calabria, Tomori, Kjaer, Hernández; Bennacer, Tonali; Leao, Krunic, Díaz; Giroud.
AC Milan team news is in!
Little over an hour to go in Naples and the AC Milan team news is in. Olivier Giroud returns to the starting XI, flanked by Raphael Leao and Brahim Diaz. Calabria captains a Milan side looking to return to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2006/07, when they lifted the trophy under Carlo Ancelotti.
Wakey, wakey...
Feeling fresh for a massive evening of Champions League football? Well AC Milan fans will be hoping that their side managed to get a few hours' kip after their hotel was beseiged by Napoli fans intent on disrupting their slumber.
Flares, music, fireworks... All in a night's work for the Naples ultras.
In last week's first leg Napoli suffered a harsh sending off for midfielder Frank Anguissa, who will now miss tonight's crucial return fixture. The atmosphere in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona will be extraordinary and the man in the middle will need to be on his game to keep tensions in check.
Here's what we know about Symon Marciniak...
The scene is set...
Naples is preparing for its biggest European fixtures for decades. Can Luciano Spalletti's men take revenge on AC Milan after two recent defeats?
Napoli vs AC Milan: Head-to-head
Tonight's all-Italian quarter-final brings together two of the most storied clubs in European football history.
Napoli, on the verge of a first Serie A title since the days of Diego Maradona, will be desperate to continue their European adventure. While seven-time European champions AC Milan will believe that their illustrious history deserves a return to the latter stages of the Champions League.
Historically Milan have the edge, but who will triumph in Naples?
CIRO DE LUCA / REUTERS
Napoli without two key players
Luciano Spalletti's side will be without two regular starters for the all-important Champions League quarter-final against AC Milan. Both Kim Min-jae and Frank Anguissa are out of the game, meaning that Napoli will be without their authoritative presences.
We'll have team news from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as soon as possible...
AC Milan have had the better of Napoli this month
The two sides meet for the third time this month with Champions League progression on the line. Napoli have been sensational in the league and are currently 22 points ahead of AC Milan in Serie A. But in recent weeks Milan have enjoyed two victories over Luciano Spalletti's side without conceding a goal.
But Milan face a different proposition tonight with Victor Osinhem back fit. Will the 25-goal top goalscorer be the difference for Napoli?
Welcome to AS USA for Napoli vs AC Milan
What an evening we have in store! Tonight the first two semi-finalists of the 2022/23 Champions League will be decided and we'll be bringing you live coverage of both games.
I'm Will and I'll be keeping you up to date with events from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Napoli look to overturn a 1-0 first leg loss to AC Milan.
The hosts have been in incredible form in Serie A and look destined to pick up their first league title in 30 years, but have lost twice to Milan in recent weeks. Napoli will welcome back top goalscorer Victor Osimhen to the team after the Nigerian's recovery from injury.