Champions League: Sacchi says match between Napoli and Milan open but warns Inter to be wary of Benfica

Football legend Arrigo Sacchi believes the Champions League quarter-final between Napoli and Milan is still wide open, but warns Inter ‘need to be careful’ despite a 2-0 lead over Benfica.

There could very well be an all-Italian semi-final in the most prestigious tournament in European football, as the winners of the Inter-Benfica tie will face either Napoli or Milan.

The Nerazzurri in theory ought to have one foot in the next round after a 2-0 away win over Benfica, but Sacchi is erring on the side of caution after last night’s 1-0 Serie A home defeat to Monza.

“Inter can be more relaxed, but mustn’t fall asleep, because Benfica are still a dangerous team,” Sacchi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“The performance in Portugal showed great quality, with the midfield and defence working together in unison, and they need to repeat that. Inter have to play in a European style, with a high tempo, clear ideas and if possible a high press.

“Inter have lost 11 Serie A games this season and that is because they are not consistent in the league, they are too tactically static and don’t press. In the light of the performance against Monza, it is legitimate to have a few doubts on Inter, even if they have a notable first leg advantage.”

As for the all-Italian clash, Milan won the first leg 1-0, but Victor Osimhen returns for Napoli at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Tuesday evening.

“Osimhen is a very important player for Napoli, for the movements he makes as much as the efforts on goal. He only played a few minutes against Verona and hit the crossbar, he is someone who frightens the opposition defenders.”

On the other hand, Sacchi is not so impressed with Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, who was the revelation of this season.

“He is still a wonderful discovery but is now less frightening than before. He always dribbles towards the inside, defenders have realised that now and already found the counter-measures to neutralise him.”

Kim Min-jae and Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa are suspended for the Partenopei, though there is just one goal in the tie.

“It’s very difficult to predict and I expect a very open game. Napoli’s players look like they have lost some of the sharpness they had a few months ago, but the same is true of Milan. The worst thing the Rossoneri could do is sit back and protect the 1-0 first leg lead. They need to express their identity, especially in a Champions League quarter-final.”