MATCHDAY: Real Madrid, AC Milan take leads into 2nd legs

Mon, Apr 17, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

A look at what's happening in the Champions League on Tuesday:

CHELSEA vs. REAL MADRID

Real Madrid is on course for the semifinals after beating Chelsea 2-0 in the quarterfinals first leg in Spain last week. Chelsea is short on confidence and form, having lost all three games under interim manager Frank Lampard, including to Brighton 2-1 on Saturday. The 2021 champion has overcome the odds to win the Champions League in the past but beating the 2022 champion feels like a step too far. Madrid is aiming to win the trophy for a record-extending 15th time. This would be the 11th time in 13 seasons that Madrid reaches the semifinals. Madrid won at Cadiz 2-0 on Saturday in La Liga in a game in which coach Carlo Ancelotti was able to rotate the squad and keep most of his key players fresh for Chelsea.

NAPOLI vs. AC MILAN

AC Milan can move a step closer to reviving its past European glory. Napoli can add another milestone to its extraordinary season. Figuring out which team will come out on top after the second leg of their all-Italian quarterfinal at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona may come down to the status of their center forwards. Serie A scoring leader Victor Osimhen is back from an injured abductor muscle in his left leg that kept him out of Milan's 1-0 win in the first game last week. And now veteran Milan striker Olivier Giroud is an injury concern with an Achilles tendon problem. Milan won the last of its seven European titles in 2007, while Napoli is in the quarterfinals for the first time.

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