Credit: Photo by Icon sport
AC Milan prepares to face Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal, the 18th time two Italian teams have faced each other on the European stage.
The Rossoneri booked their place in the last eight of Europe’s premier club competition with a tense 1-0 win over Tottenham, while Napoli found less resistance in their confident 5-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. AC Milan and Napoli are set for their 172nd meeting and first in Europe. The Rossoneri have won 68 of those encounters, with Napoli winning 51 and the two teams drawing 52 times. This match is also the 18th Italian derby in Europe.
The most recent clash between Serie A teams in Europe took place in the 2014-15 Europa League season, when Fiorentina won 4-1 on aggregate over Roma. The year before, the Viola was eliminated in the same competition by Juventus, losing 2-1 in draws. The 2002-03 season saw two Serie A derbies in the Champions League. AC Milan defeated rivals Inter in the semifinals, advancing to the final on away goals, and they lifted the trophy after beating Juventus on penalties. The 1993-94 season saw two more Serie A derbies in the UEFA Cup, with Cagliari beating Juventus in the quarter-finals before falling to Inter in the semi-finals. Other European finals contested between Italian teams include the UEFA Cup in the 1990-91 campaign, when Inter defeated Roma, and the UEFA Cup in the 1989-90 season, which saw Juventus beat Fioürentina.
Antoine Rabito
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