AC Milan roll back the years to deliver shock European victory

Milan defeated Napoli, the likely Italian champions who are 22 points ahead of them in the league table, 1-0 at home Wednesday. They did it on the back of a confident, sly, and cheekily retro performance that turned the clock all the way back to 2007. Milan are back — and the Champions League is all the better for it.

The game started out evenly, with Napoli bursting forward to play quick passes in Milan's penalty box. But goalkeeper Mike Maignan was flawless from the jump, making several game-changing saves. 

With star forward Victor Osimhen out injured Napoli relied upon Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Hirving Lozano up front. They never stopped trying, but neither were able to outsmart Maignan.

Napoli dominated possession and had most of the better chances in the first half. So when Milan's Brahim Diaz broke down the middle in the 39th minute, his run was wildly against the run of play — and Napoli's defense were caught out by it. 

He side-footed a pass to his right to find Leao, who pinged it back across the box to find Ibrahim Bennacer. Bennacer hit the ball first-time, and while Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret got a hand on the shot, its power nearly took that hand clean off. 

The ball slammed into the net and the Milan players tumbled onto the touchline, throwing themselves around Bennacer in celebration. It was the Algerian's first-ever Champions League goal.

From there, Napoli simply couldn't get going. Milan frustrated them all over the field, drawing fouls, cutting out passes, and slowing the game down to suit their needs. 

Napoli's irritation eventually boiled over into a red card and dismissal for Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and several yellows for their defensive line.

The teams will play the second leg next week in Naples, and with just one goal between them, anything could still happen. But after a brassy performance that felt like classic Milan, the rossoneri aren't worried at all.

"I don't feel any pressure, no, only the pride of being here," Milan coach Stefano Pioli said. "We represent a great club that has made a history in this competition and we will try to honor it."