Italian clubs are back competing at the peak of European football

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw has pitted Napoli against AC Milan meaning it is guaranteed there will be an Italian semi-finalist. The last time an Italian team reached the last four was Juventus back in the 2016/17 season. Outside of Juve’s monopoly, the last Italian side to reach the stage was Inter Milan. Jose Mourinho’s side won the competition in 2009/10. Italian football has had little impact on Europe’s highest stage for several years now, but this season could change that.

Napoli are one of Europe’s most frightening teams

Napoli have been one of the most impressive teams across Europe this season in domestic and continental competition. Smart recruitment has transformed the side into one of the UCL favourites this season. In Champions League betting odds they are offered at 10/3 to lift the trophy for the first time. Only Manchester City are fancied ahead of the Serie A leaders. In the Champions League winner odds, Pep Guardiola’s side are 9/4 favourites to secure their maiden triumph in the competition. It is no surprise that Napoli are expected to provide Italy’s greatest chance of success in the competition. The Blues have raced away to Serie A success this season with the title race being all but over as a result of their exceptional consistency.

Kim Min-jae on the links with Premier League clubs to trigger a release clause in June: “I can’t be bothered by transfer rumours because they aren’t true” 🇰🇷 #transfers

“Now I’m focusing on the team and on the Champions League, rather than that kind of nonsense”. pic.twitter.com/bXtSLdUKU3

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 25, 2023

Several new signings have helped propel Napoli to a new level in this campaign. Frank Anguissa joined permanently from Fulham and has subsequently been the heartbeat of his new side’s midfield. Kim Min-Jae was a bold acquisition from Fenerbahce that was awarded the huge task of replacing Kalidou Koulibaly. Rebuilding the spine was vital after losing a rock at the back in the Senegalese defender. Long-term servants Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne also left leading a huge void in terms of leadership at the club. Huge doubts were placed on the club’s ability to transition quickly, but they have immediately transformed into one of the top sides on the continent.

A Milan UCL derby could happen again

Both Milan clubs have not gone deep into the competition in the past decade. Both have been incredibly successful in the history of the UCL with 10 titles combined. The pair have even met in the competition on two prior occasions and this season it could happen again. Inter Milan will face SL Benfica and AC Milan will play out an all-Italian tie with Napoli. The two teams from the fashion capital are arguably the biggest in Italian football history. Their success or lack of is hugely indicative of Italy’s impact on the European level. The city rivals met at the semi-final stage back in 2002/03. Milan advanced to the final via the away goals ruling. Milan went on to achieve their sixth European success in another all-Italian affair against the Old Lady in the final.

ANSWER: AC Milan, Inter & Juventus all made the #UCL semi-finals in 2002/03 🇮🇹 https://t.co/CudHArr0Od pic.twitter.com/FkDjPlemuG

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) June 29, 2020

The long wait for an Italian semi-finalist is guaranteed to come to an end this year. But could the 13-year wait for an Italian club to lift the UCL trophy also come to an end this year? If Inter can knock out Benfica there will be a team from the nation in the final in Istanbul. From there a team could be 90 minutes away from creating history for all of Italy.