AC Milan players celebrate after their Champions League clash with Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy, April 18, 2023. /CFP
AC Milan reached the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time in 16 years after Olivier Giroud struck the crucial goal in a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinal second leg at Napoli, which completed a 2-1 aggregate victory over their fellow Italians.
Giroud tapped in what turned out to be the decisive goal two minutes before the break after a blistering run from Rafael Leao, who was once again key as Milan beat Napoli for the third time this month.
The France striker's 13th goal of the season saved his blushes after he missed a penalty midway through the first half.
Stefano Pioli's side now face the prospect of a local derby in the last four as Inter Milan hold a two-goal lead ahead of their second leg with Benfica on Wednesday night.
"I'm very proud of this team, with that spirit we can dream of anything," said Giroud. "In the next round there will be another hard match whether it's against Inter or Benfica, but if we keep this spirit we can go anywhere."
Napoli players look dejected during their Champions League clash with AC Milan at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples, Italy, April 18, 2023. /CFP
After the match, Mediaset showed Leao a video of Ruud Gullit setting up a goal with an almost identical run at Napoli in 1988.
"It's the same," said a shocked Leao. "It's what I try to do, go at players, it's how I can make difference. If I can't score I look for my teammates. I saw Giroud there."
Milan have not contested a Champions League semifinal since they were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh and most recent time in 2007.
Victor Osimhen scored in stoppage time but it was not enough for Napoli who are creaking as they come towards the end of what has been a phenomenal season.
Luciano Spalletti's once freewheeling team are struggling for goals and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also had a penalty saved with 10 minutes remaining, a miss which condemned his team to defeat.
Napoli are on the verge of their first league title since 1990, but after being placed on the easier side of the draw, Tuesday's exit was an underwhelming end to their European adventure.
Real Madrid players react after scoring the opener during their Champions League clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London, England, April 18, 2023. /CFP
Elsewhere, Real Madrid cruised into the Champions League semifinals with a 2-0 win against Chelsea that wrapped up an emphatic 4-0 aggregate triumph, effectively ending the struggling London club's season.
The home team, with Frank Lampard back in the dugout for a second spell, came into the match at Stamford Bridge with form and history against them.
They started brightly, playing enterprising football, but rued two huge missed chances in the first half that would have heaped pressure on the defending champions.
The Spanish giants made Chelsea pay for their profligacy when Rodrygo scored in the 58th minute. The Brazilian then doubled his tally with 10 minutes to go.
Chelsea, the 2021 European champions, have now lost all four of their matches since Lampard returned to the club as caretaker boss earlier this month in place of the sacked Graham Potter.