Former AC Milan coach, Arrigo Sacchi has revealed why Napoli couldn’t stop Rafael Leao during the 1-1 draw in the UEFA Champions League second leg encounter on Tuesday, April 18 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
The Rossoneri defeated Napoli 1-0 in the first leg on Wednesday, April 12 at San Siro Stadium which made it 2-1 on aggregate with AC Milan thereby advancing to the semi-final stage.
Olivier Giroud scored the first goal of the game in the 43rd minute after he got a pass from Leao who made a run from inside the AC Milan half into Napoli’s box.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a penalty kick for Napoli and Osimhen equalised for the Luciano Spalletti led side in the 93rd minute.
In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Sacchi explained why Napoli couldn’t stop Leao from dazzling their defence.
“There are two ways to stop Leao,” Sacchi said
“Anticipation or doubling up on the marking. Napoli didn’t make any of these moves and conceded goals.
“And then Spalletti’s team was slow, too slow. How do you organise the press and defend well in those conditions?”
Leao has gotten one goal in 10 Champions League matches this season.
AC Milan will play Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final first leg on May 10 at the San Siro Stadium.
