2022-23 UEFA Champions League

Dont worry Pep will find a way to overthink it.

Yeah, pretty harsh sending off alright. That's the spine of the team really damaged now - especially if Osimhen is still struggling for fitness at that stage.

That's both Inter and Milan have had refereeing decisions go their way, maybe it's just meant to be a derby in the semis.

To be fair, as a neutral, would be some semi final to see the atmosphere at a Milan Derby.

Even though would love to see Napoli make the final.

Are the Golden Millers predictions coming to pass?

Milan showing they are an average but well drilled team, with fight in them. Napoli showing they aren't that great when the pressure is applied. The screw being turned on them

I thought Bayern deserved a goal or two.

My opinion of Napoli is based on watching them wilt under pressure, and fail to get the job done, time and again.

At some point it becomes more than being unlucky

I only use "park the bus" because it's a well known term.

I have huge respect for the tactic. As I also do for shthousery.

The more you watch the Milan goal, and see the final pass from Diaz, and watch it slowly, it's absolute genius. Few players could of executed that goal, the vision, speed, and movement of foot. That is one of the deftest, yet deadly, passes you'll ever see.

And he did something similar to Napoli in the 4-0, twice. On the break in Naples, Diaz will conjure up something from nothing. He seems to posses that rare ability, to change everything on a dime, out of the blue. That final pass to set up the goal, is a moment of genius few other players could of executed.

He's no consistency, the ultimate luxury player if you will. To survive at this level, and get away with that inconsistency, you have to produce those moments when it matters.

As of now, he's doing that. Nothing for 30 minutes, then the turn in tempo changes, lethal on the break. The last game, the 4-0 v Napoli, and a run of league games, he's had a run of unplayable moments, few players capable off, from nothing.

It gives you confidence from a Milan point of view, Napoli press too high, this man will have that one moment of magic on the break, rip them apart. When he bursts, unplayable.

I think Napoli will play right into that. Even if you don't give him a chance, his confidence is so high, he'll create it from nothing. Unreal talent.

I remember Messi at that age, but even he didn't have that burst with such execution on top of it, at such important moments. Potentially dealing with a genius here

Kaka is the greatest playermaker of his generation. The road runner. When in the mood, destroyed teams.

When United entered the San Siro in 07, he broke them, mentally and physically. The greatest since Cruyff at doing what they did. On his day unplayable, only seen Messi and Totti come close to that level in individual matches

Diaz clearly miles from that, but has the potential. That pivot Milan were missing since Kaka/Rui Costa.

For a period, Kaka hit a level never to be seen again, absolutely incredible and devastating at his peak. Pace, technical skill, vision, goals, had literally everything. At peak form, I'd argue he was the greatest ever.

He was THAT good!

But ye, I remember that pass from Kaka, something he did for fun, like Totti.

Diaz yet, doesn't carry their reputation or history, but when the league was on the line last year, upped it a gear when it mattered. Milan in Europa league v United for example were useless. When Diaz was needed this year, he's changed gear.

Milan average and blunt without him, make no mistake. But as he's there, has the capacity to rip any defense to shreds. Napoli talk about Osimhen missing, this lad operates at a completely different level.

This lad stays fit for the return leg, Napoli pressing plays into Milans hands. Give this guy the ball on the break, and wonders suddenly happen. His turn of pace and ability to go up the gears, within seconds, is incredible

I probably wrongly attributed Milans revival to Diaz. But like on the Leeds thread, he gave that platform to perform for others for a long time, and as he grows in experience, is standing out.

As I said, in terms of moments of magic from literally nothing, he's conjuring up magic .

Napoli will say in their 4-0, the league was won, but clearly they didn't account for his brilliance, just like in the 1-0 defeat.

He's young and not the finished article, hit and miss, but hopefully he can drum up that magic in the return leg. Don't think I've seen such quick feet and vision since Messi in his youth.

Difference is, then Messi was on the wing, this guy is the centre and fulcrum of Milan. As he improves, so does the weight of expectation.

In saying that, he strikes me as a player who doesn't care, and will just rip you apart on the break. We hear Osimhen is fit, Napoli push harder, means this guy is even more lethal on the break

Napoli haven't accounted for him clearly, and still haven't. Most people don't know him. But he's growing in confidence every game, and posses feet at a speed I've never seen before, and vision to top it off.

Osimhen returning a blessing in disguise for Milan, renewed false confidence for Napoli and they'll push harder, and Diaz will take them to town on the break. He's brimming right now.

Can't wait for Tuesday, a Napoli siege, countered by the speed and vision of Diaz on the break. Hopefully the likes of Leao pull their weight and it's enough, playing off Diaz.

Pioli benched the whole first team in the league at the weekend, meaning he's going all in for this. Meaning it falls on Diaz as the playmaker, to make it happen. Huge pressure and responsibility

How was that not a penalty for Napoli?

The “best team in Europe this season” defending like a Conference South team there. Laughably bad.

vinny junior did the same a few mins ago. an easy goal if he used his right foot

Chelsea should have scored that in injury time at the end of the first half. Cucurella with the effort but Courtois saved it. It should have been buried though.

And the commentators saying it was a great decision by the ref, between that and the soft cards in the first leg, Napoli can definitely have a few complaints.

That's a shocker from the ref. That was a second yellow card all night long. And Militao should be off. The ref knew what the consequences were.

tie over. RM winning 1-0

Ray talking 💩 as always.