Inter, Milan and Naples and possible opponents – Corriere.it

With three Italians in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, and it hasn’t happened since 2006 (at the time Milan, Inter and Juventus), there is great anticipation for the draw scheduled in Nyon at 12 tomorrow, Friday 17 March (TV: Sky Sport, Canale 20 of Mediaset and Mediaset Infinity, Prime Video). Stefano Pioli’s Rossoneri were in the running, eliminating Antonio Conte’s Tottenham; Simone Inzaghi’s Nerazzurri, who prevailed against Sergio Conceiao’s Porto and Napoli, who scored five goals against Eintracht Frankfurt in two games.

The eight teams

There are not only Milan, Inter and Naples. Running too Bayern Munich, Benfica, Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid. As you can easily imagine, there are many pitfalls for our teams. Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Real Madrid seem out of reach; then there are teams not to be underestimated such as Benfica, Chelsea and Napoli. Finally, Inter and Milan: the only teams in the quarter-finals that finished second in their respective Champions League groups.

How the draw works

From this round on, the draw is totally open, there are no seedings and teams from the same country can be drawn against. Teams that have already met in the group stage can also play each other. Potential semi-finals and, pro forma, who will play as the home team in the final in Istanbul will also be drawn.

When playing

The first leg matches are played on Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 April, while the second leg is scheduled for 18 and 19 April. The semi-finals are played on 9-10 and 16-17 May, while the final is played on Saturday 10 June at the Atatrk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul. It should be remembered that at the end of the Champions League draws, there will be those for the Europa League (1pm) and Conference League (2pm).

The protagonist: Haaland

For our three teams there is an opponent to absolutely avoid: Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who dreams of conquering their first Champions League. With the city of Manchester equaling the record of Milan, the only city in the world to have two teams that have won the top continental competition: Inter (1964, 1965, 2010) and Milan (1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003 and 2007). The Citizens, among the many stars in the squad, have Haaland, the record man. The Norwegian striker comes from five goals scored against Leipzig, in a match that finished 7-0 for the English, on Tuesday 14 March. Like him only Messi in 2012 (five seals at Bayer Leverkusen) and Luiz Adriano in 2014 (five goals at Bate Borisov at the time of Shakhtar). Without forgetting Gnabry and Man in Bayern Munich or Benzema and Vinicius in Real Madrid, which pursues the dream of 15 Champions.

Euroderby risk

But to frighten the AC Milan and Inter fans is the bogeyman of the Champions derbies. It would be the third time in history. The first was just 20 years ago: Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan and Hector Cuper’s Inter challenged each other in the semifinal. Pass il Diavolo, who won the trophy on penalties against Juventus (in the only all-Italian final) on 28 May 2003 at Old Trafford in Manchester, with a 0-0 at home and a 1-1 away draw. The second time in 2005 in the quarterfinals. And also on that occasion Milan passed, who then lost the final on 25 May 2005 in Istanbul in the mock match against Liverpool (from 3-0 to 3-3 and knockout on penalties). Rossoneri success 2-0 in the first leg and 3-0 at the table for the Diavolo in the second leg, in the shameful evening with a flare launched from the Curva Nord on the pitch that pecked Dida. And there are many similarities between 2005 and today. First of all, the final at the Atatrk stadium in Istanbul or Inter victorious in the round of 16 with Porto (like this year) and Milan against an English club: Manchester United at the time, Tottenham today.