Real Madrid vs Chelsea 2 – 0: Real Madrid takes control of quarter-final tie
Real Madrid took a significant step towards the Champions League semi-finals after a 2-0 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of their quarter-final tie at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.
The result leaves Chelsea with a mountain to climb in the second leg at Stamford Bridge, with manager Frank Lampard urging his players to produce a “special” night and overturn the deficit to advance to the semi-finals.
“It’s a tough result to take, but we have to believe that special things can happen at Stamford Bridge,” Lampard said in his post-match press conference.
Ac Milan vs Napoli 1 – 0: Bennacer’s strike gives Milan slender advantage
AC Milan secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Napoli in the first leg of their all-Italian Champions League quarter-final at the San Siro.
The decisive moment of the game came in the 27th minute when Algeria midfielder Ismael Bennacer scored from the edge of the area after a superb breakaway led by Braham Diaz.
Napoli, who are currently 16 points clear at the top of Serie A, struggled to create many clear chances and were reduced to 10 men in the second half when Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa was sent off for a second bookable offence.
Despite their numerical disadvantage, Napoli pushed for an equaliser late on, but Milan held on for the win, with goalkeeper Mike Maignan making a crucial save to deny Giovanni di Lorenzo.
Milan will take a slender advantage into the second leg at the Stadio Diego Maradona next Tuesday, but manager Stefano Pioli is wary of the threat posed by Napoli.
“It’s only half-time in the tie, and we know that Napoli are a strong team,” Pioli said after the match. “We need to be focused and play with the same intensity in the second leg if we want to progress to the semi-finals.”
