Former Milan manager Arrigo Sacchi has expressed his opinion on the ‘spectacle’ of the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final between Milan and Napoli, and he thinks that either team has a chance to qualify for the semi-final.
The 77-year-old stated that both teams performed well during the first leg at San Siro, but Milan showed more ruthlessness when they had the chance to do so.
Arrigo Sacchi, who won the Champions League twice with Milan, believes the Rossoneri played ruthlessly
In his column with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi wrote: “At the start, the dominance of Spalletti’s team was evident. He created several opportunities and Maignan was very good. Milan, however, were able to resist and restart. And from one of these restarts they built the opening goal.
“Brahim Diaz was excellent who, in my opinion, has found his ideal position on the right wing. Overall, however, I admired an international spectacle in the first half. This is how you have to play: with courage, with the desire to amaze and to go beyond your limits.”
This is how you have to play: with courage, with the desire to amaze and to go beyond your limits.”
Arrigo Sacchi
“The decline in the second half was quite straight-forward because the players had already spent a lot of energy. There was less brilliance, less pace in the play and Napoli made the mistake of getting nervous.
“Anguissa’s sending off is clear evidence of the attitude of Spalletti’s boys: A red card that was taken naively. And yet Milan failed to exploit the numerical superiority in the final match.
“If you think about it, it was Napoli who looked more likely to score afterwards and Maignan again outdid himself. I think it is impossible to say who is the favourite for the second leg, the tie is still very balanced.
“In the return leg, Napoli will be able to make use of the push from the supporters, and it is no small order for a team that must try to get back to winning ways. I still believe the chances of qualifying are 50/50.”
