Champions League: Rodrygo leads Real Madrid to the semi-finals, Napoli fails at Milan

Real Madrid have reached the semi-finals of the Champions League for the 11th time in the last 13 years. The defending champions, who were replaced by UEFA captain David Alaba during the break, also won 2-0 in London on Tuesday night after beating Chelsea 2-0 at home, once again one of the four best teams in Europe. Milan also mastered this move, playing 1-1 (1-0) at SSC Napoli in the Italian duel between north and south and going up 2-1.

Rodrigo was the Madrilenian match winner by two doubles (58, 80). In the semi-finals in May, the opponent is either Manchester City or Bayern Munich (going 3-0). Olivier Giroud gave Milan the lead in Napoli in the 43rd minute, and Victor Osimhen’s goal came too late (93). In the semi-finals, the winner awaits Inter Milan against Benfica Lisbon. It would probably be a city duel as Inter won the first leg 2-0 in Portugal.

Chelsea started strongly and also had chances to score. N’Golo Kante fouled miserably in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and shot wide (11). On the other hand, Real Madrid striker Rodrigo only hit the outside post (20). In stoppage time in the first half, Marc Cucurella was knocked out from five meters by the Belgian Real Madrid goalkeeper (45 + 1).

After the break, coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team responded to win: Rodrygo ran across the right and sent Vinicius Jr. into action. He played his fellow Brazilian, who converted from close range. Caretaker boss Frank Lampard’s Chelsea side didn’t have a ready answer. On the contrary: Rodrigo scored another goal in the 80th minute.

Missed two penalties in Naples

At Diego Armando Maradona’s stadium, the Neapolitans tried to equalize 0: 1 from the first leg quickly – but failed. Milan scored the best chances: after a foul by Mario Roy on Milan star Rafael Leao, there was a penalty kick for the guests (22). However, Giroud failed due to a good reaction from goalkeeper Alex Merritt.

But the match continued against the hosts. First, Matteo Politano and Rui were substituted with injury (34), then SSC coach Luciano Spalletti’s team did not receive a penalty after Leao fouled substitute Hirving Lozano in the penalty area (36). Finally, Leao again took the lead as he passed three Napoli players with a rhythmic counterattack and a perfect pass for Giroud, who this time scored without issue.

Napoli were also unsuccessful in their attacking efforts for long in the second half, and superstar Osimhin was rarely able to show himself up front. There was hope in the 82nd minute when Spalletti’s side conceded a penalty after an unfortunate handball, but Khvisha Kvaratskhelia was denied a spot by goalkeeper Mike Mignan. It wasn’t until the 93rd minute that Osimhen equalized with a header, too little time for extra time. With this, Milan are in the semi-finals of the CL Championship for the first time in 16 years.