With three of the eight clubs left in the Champions League hailing from Italy we thought we’d ask our regular Serie A expert for his take on the quarter-final first leg ties involving Napoli, Inter, and Milan.
By Matteo Bonetti, US Serie A expert
Inter’s attacking problem turned on it’s head
Inter had had a major attacking issue in the six matches played before their big game away to Benfica. Up until that point, it was hard to find another team that had been as wasteful and unlucky in a similar stretch.
In that run of games, the Nerazzurri had only scored once from open play. Taking a closer look at Inter’s statistics confirms this problem – their xG against Salernitana was 2.94 with a total of 25 shots. Only one went in past Mexican goalkeeper, Memo Ochoa, who made ten saves in the game. This has been a pattern in Inter’s last six games; that the expected goals are always much higher than the actual output. In a way, that’s good news for Simone Inzaghi’s side going forward because the bad luck finally came to a halt versus Benfica, meaning Inter were able to bring a two goal advantage back to Milano.
Inter manager, Simone Inzaghi is proving to be quite the cup magician. Despite inconsistency in Serie A and a top four spot in question; Inter have played their best football in the most important matches of the season. They achieved key results in the group stage against Barcelona, followed by impressive performances in the knock-outs. In Portugal, Inter never really looked under threat. The only times Benfica created a bit of danger, goalkeeper André Onana made important saves. Centre-back Alessandro Bastoni was also able to show off his versatility, including the marauding run down the left that led to a fantastic cross for Nicolo Barella’s headed goal. Bastoni is a unique centre-back with a cultured left foot, which he has used for long range passes as well as crosses when he’s able to make a run down the left side. Meanwhile, Barella rolled back the years, putting in a performance reminiscent of his incredible season under Antonio Conte. His energy and heart were on full show as he put in one of his vintage box-to-box midfield displays.
The only issue for Inter was the continued poor form of striker Lautaro Martínez who couldn’t piece together anything of note. His touches were clumsy and his movements ineffective. On the few balls he did receive, he was wasteful. Fortunately, Romelu Lukaku off the bench proved to be the vital switch, as he was ice cool from the penalty spot.
There aren’t many other players in Serie A that have needed a solid run of form more than Lukaku. His season at Inter has been a nightmare, with few goals (most of them from the penalty spot) and inconsistent playing time due to injuries. He’s looked a shadow of his former self – the player who terrorised the league under Antonio Conte and showed himself to be unplayable at times with his footballing IQ and physical domination of defenders.
Milan get the better of Napoli again
Less than two weeks since Milan’s incredible 4-0 win over Napoli at the Maradona, the Rossoneri were once again victorious over the Serie A league leaders. The atmosphere in San Siro was truly incredible. Few venues around Europe feel quite as authentic on a big Champions League night.
Stefano Pioli opted to go with the same formation that he used for the victory in Southern Italy against Napoli, with Ismaël Bennacer further forward in a midfield three to put pressure on deep lying playmaker Stanislav Lobotka. In the first half, Napoli came out the much better side, creating a few shots from distance that forced a save out of the brilliant Mike Maignan. Add to those an effort from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia that ended up as a goal-line clearance by Milan’s defence.
It seemed like Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti had figured out how to correct the mistakes from the recent league loss as his team was fully in control, forcing Milan to stay deep within the confines of their own box. The game only changed with one backbreaking counter-attack led by Brahim Díaz. The Spaniard was able to turn with great balance and evade three Napoli defenders around him to spearhead the counter, which ended with a goal scored by Bennacer from his advanced position.
Despite Napoli looking in control for much of the game, it was Milan that set up other great chances – a Simon Kjær thundering header that clanged off the underside of the crossbar and a coast to coast run by Rafael Leão that was dragged just wide of Alex Meret’s post.
While the scoreline of 1-0 is by no means out of Napoli’s control, they shot themselves in the foot on multiple occasions with silly yellow cards. Zambo Anguissa picked up a second yellow as a high boot made contact with Theo Hernández’s stomach. Kim Min Jae also picked up a costly yellow which will force him to miss the second leg in Naples.
This means that Napoli are without their powerhouse midfielder, Anguissa, who provides a lot of physicality and is a box-to-box presence for his team. The most costly absence, however, is that of Kim. The South Korean defender’s yellow came from a pointless protest to the referee – an uncharacteristic action from the usually level-headed and responsible centre-back. Juan Jesus will likely play in his place and partner Amir Rrahmani at the back. While this is a drop off in quality, it’s worth noting that the veteran Juan Jesus has started seven games for Napoli this season, with his club winning every single one of those games.
The other positive news for Napoli is that striker Victor Osimhen should be ready to start from the first minute in the second leg. This comes at a great time after the other strikers, Giovanni Simeone and Giacomo Raspadori, aren’t fully fit either. Osimhen’s presence alone forces Milan’s defence to take less risks, and it gives Kvaratskhelia the ultimate target in the box for all of his pinpoint crosses.
Serie A state of play
With Lazio 3-0 winners at Spezia on Friday night, that means the Biancocelesti start the weekend second, eight points clear of rivals Roma with a ticket back to the Champions League looking like a sure bet. Other than Napoli, they’ve been the only other team in the top six to overachieve this season, proving that Maurizio Sarri just needed some time to get his ideals to stick. Despite going on to win their respective games in the Champions League, both Milano based sides Milan and Inter drew their previous league matches, meaning that they’ve been leapfrogged by Roma. The possibility of a top four that doesn’t include Inter, Milan or Juventus is on the cards, and it would be a historic result – one that looks even more bizarre given where Milan and Inter find themselves in Champions League.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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