Football

Napoli's Spalletti expects joyful outcome against Milan

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is set to return for the second and decisive leg of their all-Italian Champions League quarterfinal with AC Milan, who hold a slender 1-0 lead in the tie. The Partenopei will rely heavily on Osimhen, the top scorer in Serie A, to find the finishing touch they missed in the first leg in order to progress further from their first-ever outing in the tournament’s last eight. Photo: Reuters

Napoli face no risks against AC Milan in their Champions League second leg at home on Tuesday, according to manager Luciano Spalletti who cited the fact that his team have already made history by reaching the quarter-finals.

Serie A leaders Napoli made their first appearance in the last eight of Europe's elite club competition when they visited Milan on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to an Ismael Bennacer goal.

"There are zero risks around this match. The only risk is achieving infinite joy because we've never reached this level and if we win we go even further," Spalletti told reporters on Monday.

"I will only be happy tomorrow if we get through to the next round, otherwise any great performance will be scant consolation," he added.

"We need to play the way we did in the first leg when we emerged with a slight disadvantage but no real remorse. In general, that performance is what I expect."

The match will see the return of striker Victor Osimhen, who missed both of Napoli's earlier defeats to Milan this season.

The Nigeria international, Serie A's top scorer with 21 goals, was back on the pitch for 17 minutes in the goalless home draw against Hellas Verona on Saturday after a thigh strain.

"Milan play modern, attacking football with a high press, they thoroughly deserved to win the Scudetto last season and will come here to take the initiative. Having Osimhen to deal with will cause them worries too," Spalletti said.

Napoli will be without centre back Kim Min-jae and midfielder Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, who are suspended, and Giovanni Simeone, who has a thigh injury, although Spalletti said there was sufficient depth in the squad to replace them.

"We have a squad that allowed us to reach this stage, not just 11 players. Getting the right exercise in training is crucial too, otherwise you forget the movements and get out of practice, so they all contribute there too," he said. 
 

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Napoli's Spalletti expects joyful outcome against Milan

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen is set to return for the second and decisive leg of their all-Italian Champions League quarterfinal with AC Milan, who hold a slender 1-0 lead in the tie. The Partenopei will rely heavily on Osimhen, the top scorer in Serie A, to find the finishing touch they missed in the first leg in order to progress further from their first-ever outing in the tournament’s last eight. Photo: Reuters

Napoli face no risks against AC Milan in their Champions League second leg at home on Tuesday, according to manager Luciano Spalletti who cited the fact that his team have already made history by reaching the quarter-finals.

Serie A leaders Napoli made their first appearance in the last eight of Europe's elite club competition when they visited Milan on Wednesday, losing 1-0 to an Ismael Bennacer goal.

"There are zero risks around this match. The only risk is achieving infinite joy because we've never reached this level and if we win we go even further," Spalletti told reporters on Monday.

"I will only be happy tomorrow if we get through to the next round, otherwise any great performance will be scant consolation," he added.

"We need to play the way we did in the first leg when we emerged with a slight disadvantage but no real remorse. In general, that performance is what I expect."

The match will see the return of striker Victor Osimhen, who missed both of Napoli's earlier defeats to Milan this season.

The Nigeria international, Serie A's top scorer with 21 goals, was back on the pitch for 17 minutes in the goalless home draw against Hellas Verona on Saturday after a thigh strain.

"Milan play modern, attacking football with a high press, they thoroughly deserved to win the Scudetto last season and will come here to take the initiative. Having Osimhen to deal with will cause them worries too," Spalletti said.

Napoli will be without centre back Kim Min-jae and midfielder Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, who are suspended, and Giovanni Simeone, who has a thigh injury, although Spalletti said there was sufficient depth in the squad to replace them.

"We have a squad that allowed us to reach this stage, not just 11 players. Getting the right exercise in training is crucial too, otherwise you forget the movements and get out of practice, so they all contribute there too," he said. 
 

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ভোটের অধিকার আদায়ে জনগণকে রাস্তায় নামতে হবে: ফখরুল

‘যুবকরা এখনো জানে না ভোট কী। আমাদের আওয়ামী লীগের ভাইরা ভোটটা দিয়েছেন, বলে দিয়েছেন—তোরা আসিবার দরকার নাই, মুই দিয়ে দিনু। স্লোগান ছিল—আমার ভোট আমি দিব, তোমার ভোটও আমি দিব।’

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