Milan vs Napoli Champions League quarter-final preview: Where to watch, kick-off time, starting line-ups
Wednesday, April 12, 2023
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When is it? How can you watch it? What are the starting line-ups? All you need to know about the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg between Milan and Napoli.
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Milan and Napoli meet in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Wednesday 12 April.
Milan vs Napoli at a glance
When: Wednesday 12 April (21:00 CET kick-off)
Where: Stadio San Siro, Milan
What: UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg
How to follow: Build-up and live coverage can be found here
Winners face Benfica or Inter in the semi-finals, playing the home leg first
Where to watch Milan vs Napoli on TV
Fans can find their local UEFA Champions League broadcast partner(s) here.
What do you need to know?
This will be the fourth all-Italian UEFA Champions League knockout meeting, and the first since a Milan derby in the 2004/05 semi-finals. Napoli are streaking clear at the top of Serie A and already within sight of their first Scudetto since 1990. The UEFA Champions League last eight is entirely uncharted territory for them, however. Milan, by contrast, are seven-time winners and will be hoping such European pedigree gives them the edge.
Starting line-ups
Milan: Maignan; Calabria, Kjær, Tomori, Hernández; Krunić, Tonali; Brahim Díaz, Bennacer, Rafael Leão; Giroud
Misses next match if booked: Ballo-Touré, Krunić, Tomori, Tonali
Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim, Mário Rui; Zambo Anguissa, Lobotka, Zieliński; Lozano, Elmas, Kvaratskhelia
Misses next match if booked: Kim, Juan Jesus, Politano
Form guide
Milan
Form (all competitions, most recent first): DWLDDL
Where they stand: 4th in Serie A
Napoli
Form (all competitions, most recent first): WLWWWL
Where they stand: 1st in Serie A
Expert predictions
Paolo Menicucci, Milan reporter
After the draw, not many gave Milan much chance against Serie A's runaway leaders, but the mood music changed on 2 April when the Rossoneri secured a spectacular 4-0 win at the Diego Maradona Stadium. Can Stefano Pioli's team stage a repeat performance? Will Rafael Leão torment the Napoli defence like he did in Naples? Milan remain 22 points off their opponents in Serie A, but if the Italian title is lost, the UEFA Champions League remains in their sights.
Vieri Capretta, Napoli reporter
By far the best team in the league this season, Napoli are secure at the top of the Serie A table and can afford to focus on the UEFA Champions League. The absence of forward Victor Osimhen is a blow, but Napoli have shown already this term that they can cope without the prolific Nigerian, who has 21 league goals in 2022/23.
What the coaches say
Stefano Pioli, Milan coach: "Milan have a fantastic history of success in the Champions League. That said, it's true that for several years we've failed to qualify. This match is very important. We've already managed to do better than last year. Now we'll try to get past this round, but we’re aware that Napoli are very strong. At this point in the competition, you only meet strong teams and we will have to give our all to try and get through."
Luciano Spalletti, Napoli coach: "I hope we can play many more important matches as well as this one. We are at a very positive point in our careers, the players and I. We have to bring that desire and enthusiasm onto the pitch (vs Milan)."
Where is the 2023 Champions League final?
Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium will host the final on Saturday 10 June 2023.
The winners gain a place in the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage, if they have not qualified via their domestic competition.