Napoli’s Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskelia addressed the Neapolitan faithful after a tense Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Milan. The match kicked off on April 18 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in Naples and finished with a 1-1 draw. In the 82nd minute, Kvaratskelia missed a crucial spot kick, a moment that weighed heavily as the aggregate score from the two legs stood at 1:0 in favor of Milan before the late drama. With the final whistle, Milan progressed to the semifinals thanks to the aggregate result of 2:1, leaving Napoli to reflect on what might have been in a tightly contested tie.
The forward took to social media to speak honestly about the night. He expressed sorrow for not bringing the celebration to the stands and thanked the supporters for their unwavering backing. He said he would learn from the experience, vowed to return stronger, and reminded fans that many matches lie ahead and that the dream remains alive. The message underscored a sense of accountability and resilience, traits fans often want to see during tough moments in a high-stakes European campaign.
Meanwhile, Milan moved forward to face the winner of the Inter versus Benfica quarterfinal clash. In the opening leg, Inter earned confidence with a 2-0 victory, thanks to goals from Nicolò Barella and Romelu Lukaku, setting the stage for a high-stakes rematch. The second leg between Inter and Benfica was scheduled to take place in Milan on a date in late April with kickoff around the evening hours, continuing a dramatic European run for the Italian club as they chased a place in the final stages of the tournament.
On another notable note, Karim Benzema has set a record for Real Madrid by amassing more appearances in the Champions League than any other outfield player. This milestone adds to Benzema’s storied career at Madrid, highlighting the longevity and consistency required to compete at Europe’s highest level across many seasons and campaigns. The accomplishment reflects the enduring appeal of the tournament and the way it frames legacies for players across generations, marking Benzema as a reference point in discussions about Champions League greats.