AC Milan took a step towards their first Champions League semi-final appearance for 16 years as Ismael Bennacer’s goal earned them a 1-0 win over Napoli in the quarter-final first leg at the San Siro on Wednesday.
On a rainy night, Serie A leaders Napoli’s first European clash with seven-times European champions Milan was also their first appearance in the quarter-finals of Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Napoli without their star striker Victor Osimhen failed to create much threat in the final third.
Attempting to avenge their 4-0 home defeat by Milan in Serie A this month, Napoli began pressing immediately, but the hosts took the lead five minutes before the interval when Brahim Diaz teed up Bennacer who struck a low shot inside the far post.
Napoli’s situation worsened 16 minutes from time when midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa received a second yellow card for pushing Theo Hernandez.
The second leg of the quarter-final is in Napoli on April 18.
