Napoli coach quarrels with Maldini
When the two teams were in the tunnel waiting to enter the second half, the camera caught coach Spalletti and Leao arguing, then Maldini appeared to protect the Milan player. The commentator at the time suggested that Spalletti was not pleased with Leao's way of celebrating in the first half, when he cupped his hands over his ears in front of the silent Diego Armando Maradona stand.
As Spalletti and Leao argued, Maldini appeared and shouted to the Napoli coach: "You have won the scudetto, what more do you want".
In the press conference after Milan's 4-0 win over Napoli on the evening of April 2, Spalletti explained about this situation that he initially argued with the referee about midfielder Stanislav Lobotka's yellow card in the first half. "At the same time, Maldini waved his hand to indicate that I always complain too much," added the 64-year-old coach. "Last season we didn't say anything to the referee, only coach Stefano Pioli did and was scolded. I haven't been scolded by the referee yet."
However, Spalletti said that what happened to Maldini was nothing serious. "I just don't like the way Maldini talks to me like that, but it doesn't matter. It's Paolo Maldini anyway. I'm not that good a player, but I also played for a few years," said Napoli coach. more.
A brace for Leao, and goals from Brahim Díaz and Alexis Saelemaekers helped Milan win 4-0 at Maradona in the 28th round of Serie A. Napoli still hold the top of the table after this round, with 16 points more than the second team Lazio. They are aiming for a historic third scudetto, and the first in 33 years.
Spalletti also said that Napoli was a bit unlucky when they were absent from main striker Victor Osimhen in this match because of injury. However, he still respects Milan and thinks the away team deserves to win.
The two teams also reunited in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the first leg on the evening of April 12 at San Siro and the second leg a week later at Maradona's stadium. "With this result, I hope people will change their opinion and think that Napoli are unlucky to have to face Milan in the quarter-finals," Spalletti added, laughing. "Before that people reacted as if Milan were easy to beat."
Spalletti is 64 years old, used to play in the lower division in Italy as a midfielder. His coaching career was more successful with seven titles, with Roma and Zenit St Petersburg.
Maldini is 55 years old, has won his entire career playing for Milan, from 1984-2009. He holds the record of playing 902 matches for Milan, and is serving as the team's technical director.
