Our 5️⃣ points as Real Madrid and Milan cruise to UCL semi-finals | OneFootball

Two teams progressed to the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday after completing their set of last-eight ties.

Here is what we made of the proceedings across the two matches.

Giroud assumes Zlatan mantle

Most players would struggle in Zlatan Ibrahimović’s imposing shadow but Olivier Giroud is actively thriving in it.

In the absence of AC Milan’s self-proclaimed ‘Lion’, the France international has spent large parts of this season bridging the gap.

But Giroud has not only simply filled the void left by Ibrahimović’s bouts of injury, he has comfortably assumed it.

After missing a penalty, his first since in over a decade (2011), the former Arsenal man wrote his name in the Rossoneri’s Champions League story.

Giroud’s late first-half strike saw him become the first Milan player since Ibrahimović in 2011/12 to score five goals in a single season among Europe’s elite.

Sending Stefano Pioli’s side into their first semi-final appearance since 2007, the 36-year-old confirmed himself as Zlatan’s rightful heir.

All he is missing now is the Swede’s trademark topknot.

Rodrygo delivers on the big stage again

Karim Benzema may have found some unlikely competition as Real Madrid’s man for the big occasion.

The Ballon d’Or holder’s brace in the first leg virtually assured his side’s place in the Champions League semi-final.

But while Benzema found himself preoccupied with defensive duties at Stamford Bridge, a new pretender stepped up.

Anything he can do, Rodrygo is seemingly equally capable of producing with a second-half haul to break Chelsea hearts.

The Brazilian emulated Benzema’s two-goal showcase at the Bernabéu with a series of prolific finishes past Kepa Arrizibalaga.

Cometh the hour, cometh the (new) man.

No fairy tale ending for Napoli

Until recently, Napoli had become firm believers in realising football’s once-impossible goals.

Victor Osimhen’s return from injury offered hopes of repeating the trick by overturning their deficit against Milan.

A 12-game unbeaten home run in Europe’s elite club competition also augured well for a potentially historic night.

When Alex Meret denied Giroud from the spot, those inside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona dared to dream.

Much as they had done at the San Siro a week earlier, however, hopes of continuing to fight on all fronts soon unravelled.

Trailing by Giroud’s opener, the Partenopei’s luck finally ran out as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia missed a penalty and Osimhen’s headed equaliser arrived too late.

Still, at least they have a long-awaited Scudetto to celebrate.

Lampard’s chaos theory almost pays off

Frank Lampard admitted that he did not know what to expect when Madrid trounced Chelsea in last week’s first leg.

Effectively given a free pass in the dugout, the former midfielder decided to experiment with a surprising starting XI.

Kai Havertz’s deployment as a false 9, being the Blues’ sole attacking outlet, appeared a move of sheer confusion.

Yet there was a clear method in Lampard’s perceived madness as his side unleashed that chaos theory on Madrid.

It almost worked, too, with the axis of Havertz, Conor Gallagher and N’Golo Kanté pressing the visitors relentlessly.

Only former Blues goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois prevented Chelsea from staging a previously improbable fightback in this tie.

Stamford Bridge has already accepted the Champions League will elude it next season but at least bows out with a statement of sorts.

Pressure on Madrid in likely City rematch

Carlo Ancelotti is experienced enough not to take Madrid’s 11th Champions League semi-final appearance in 13 years for granted.

As Comfortable as this last-eight tie was across both legs, Los Blancos will have to dig deep for a likely rematch with Manchester City.

Barring an unforeseen onslaught by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, Pep Guardiola’s side pose a sterner challenge on their next trip to England.

The European champions already have the small matter of Éder Militão’s suspension to contend with before sizing up the task of shackling Erling Haaland.

Last season’s frenetic encounter at the Bernabéu will count for little against the imperious Citizens on the back of their first-leg drubbing over Bayern.

Should Ancelotti’s side negotiate that daunting task, only a fool would bet against, them being crowned kings of the continent for a 15th time.