Milan-Naples, who is the favorite in the Italian challenge of the quarter-finals of the Champions League – Corriere.it

Here it is, the derby. Not from Milan, but Italian. Milan-Naples will be the spring duel, which will hold court for the entire month of April: the two teams will face each other three times, the first in the league on Sunday 2 April, then the double challenge of the Champions League: first leg (April 11 or 12) at San Siro, return leg (April 18 or 19) at Maradona.

Here Milan: the first leg not to fail

He would have preferred a foreigner, Stefano Pioli, but the draw chose Naples: the best in Italy and among the best in Europe. Milan, on its side, has history. But the seven Champions of the past do not go on the field, in football in the end only one verb counts, the indicative present. So the Rossoneri will now have to raise their level to get the best out of themselves in April. Recovering Leao, who can make a difference, if the real one comes back. Bringing the European version to the field, the one that made it possible to reach the quarterfinals, with merit. The difficulty level is high. Above all because the return will be at Maradona.

This is why the first leg at San Siro will be fundamental. So Franco Baresi, from Nyon: Napoli is a very difficult opponent to face, he is doing an extraordinary vintage, he’s playing really well. We will have to be good at raising the level. The Champions League different from the championship, Napoli is impressive. We have to respect it, but we have a European history, we will play it to the end. How does Osimhen stop? a great striker, a great finisher, he scores goals in every way, he must be kept away from the area. But everyone creates chances, they have quality, Kvara on the outside, Politano, everyone. We want to think positive and keep dreaming. So instead the ds Ricky Massara on Milan TV: It will take performance of the highest level. Three races in twenty days doesn’t help, if anything they complicate the challenge for both of us. We take it with courage and with the hope of playing some great matches. They will be spectacular matches, Milan and Napoli have shown that they can build a beautiful game.

Here Naples: the weight of the favorite role

It will be an intense month of April, three challenges with Milan, twenty days of fire for Spalletti’s team who in those days or in any case close to this period can also imagine celebrating the Scudetto in advance. Even if the European crossing so close can require a surplus of strength and energy, both mental and physical. The crossing in the Champions League certifies the only Italian derby, and challenging for both teams. There is a month to go, more or less, and for now Napoli can be considered favorites on the card, but there are many variables. The club posted the handshake emoticon on social media, a gesture of respect and sportsmanship. Kvara challenges Leao, Osimhen who scored 4 goals in the Champions League out of 5 games played. But Napoli strong in its group: seven wins out of eight, 25 goals scored and 6 conceded: Napoli presents itself in the quarter-finals with this business card. Never, in 97 years, had the Neapolitan club written his name among the big eight in Europe. There where he didn’t even succeed Diego Armando MaradonaIn fact, Luciano Spalletti’s team, already dominating the championship, succeeded. Napoli had not met Milan in a direct cup clash since the 1990 Coppa Italia.