Napoli-Milan, it’s Osimhen against Maignan: the challenge – Corriere.it

Naples-Milan many things all together, the flashes of Kvara and Leao, the sagacity of Tonali and Lobotka, the strong sensations of two teams chasing a dream that is by no means impossible. But it will be above all the close face-to-face between Osimhen and Maignan to shift the balance in a night that runs on the edge of uncertainty. Spalletti recovers his overflowing center forward, Pioli opposes him with his formidable goalkeeper, the real added value of the Devil, even more than the discontinuous Rafa.

A match within a match, a close duel in the AC Milan area that could tip qualification for the Champions League semi-final to one side or the other. Now we are almost even. Milan have a one-goal lead to defend, Napoli will have the push of the people and their king in the heart of the attack, the sharpest sword to go into battle. Dare he recovered, even if his conditions will have to be tested in a game without breaks that could stretch up to 120 minutes. The Nigerian is the added value of Napoli for how it attacks depth, for how it fills the area and for its ballistic qualities.

Spalletti’s team must score at least two goals to reach the finish line and in their last two outings, at San Siro with the Rossoneri and in the league against Verona, remained dry as never before this season. Osimhen must break the spell. For how he entered against Hellas, the Neapolitans can rest assured. The rediscovered Osi will not be enough to be right about Milan, but the league’s top scorer promises to make all the difference in the world. Until now he scored 21 goals in Serie A and 4 in 333 minutes in the Champions Leagueone every 83 minutes, less than a game, in theory the mere presence should serve to even the score.

Pioli opposes him the best goalkeeper in Serie A. Not even for a minute did Super Mike make Donnarumma regret. Maignan the cat is the real strength of the Devil because it gives security, personality, strength. The right shield on such a night. Last year he got his hands on the Scudetto, now he’s chasing the Champions League final to redeem a complicated season. Since he returned, after the long calf injury with at least two relapses, the team has a different attitude. And if tonight he has a goal to defend in the Maradona stadium, he owes it to his goalkeeper’s extraordinary save on Di Lorenzo, without forgetting the one on Kane at Tottenham. Maignan the Osimhen of Milan. The Rossoneri know they can’t play a defensive game only and hope, as in the championship appetizer, in the vein of the reborn Leao and in the qualities of the elf Diaz, also in the moves of Pioli who always surprised Spalletti in Fuorigrotta last year with Kessie, 15 days ago with Bennacer as a playmaker.

But in the end, the challenge will be resolved in a duel to the death, a kind of fiery noon at dinner time among the stars of the Neapolitan night, Osimhen and Maignan, old companions in Lille. Whoever manages to leave their mark will transform a quarter-final into an unforgettable night.