The big day has finally arrived: tonight at San Siro, Stefano Pioli's Milan will take the field in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinals against Napoli. It's a great opportunity for the Devil, who hasn't played such an important game in Europe for many (too many) years, where this season the best version of the Rossoneri has been seen. If until ten days ago the Azzurri were the heavy favorites, after the 0-4 in the league, something has changed and the prediction is wide open.
Corriere della Sera reports that Pioli will rely on his starters and his undisputed leaders: Maignan in goal, Kjaer and Theo in defense, Tonali in the middle of the field, while up front there will be Diaz, Leao, and of course Giroud. In defense, Milan has also recovered Kalulu, who will initially start from the bench (Tomori will be alongside Kjaer). At Napoli, on the other hand, the long-awaited miracle did not happen, so Osimhen will not be playing, nor will Simeone, who was injured on Friday in Lecce and will also have to miss next week's return match, as relayed by Milannews.it.
They believe in Milanello, but they absolutely do not want to think that after the 0-4 in the league, it is easier: "This game will be a completely different story," Pioli assured in a press conference yesterday. At the same time, however, there is an awareness that this is really a great opportunity for Milan to continue dreaming in the Champions League: "With the strength of our dreams, we won the league, so dreaming is good for us," the coach declared. Pushing the Rossoneri will be 75,000 spectators who, as Theo Hernandez explained yesterday, will have to be the 12th man on the field.
