Milan secured a slender Champions League quarter-final advantage over 10-man Napoli with a 1-0 win in Wednesday’s first leg, thanks to Ismael Bennacer’s goal.

Napoli were the dominant force for large parts of the game at San Siro, just over a week after being thrashed 4-0 by Milan in Serie A, only for Bennacer to deliver a sucker punch after 40 minutes.

The Algeria international’s first Champions League goal proved decisive, as Napoli, who had Frank Anguissa sent off in the second half, were unable to respond in the absence of injured star striker Victor Osimhen.

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Luciano Spalletti will hope to have Osimhen, as well as his replacement Giovanni Simeone, fit for the return leg as Napoli attempts to overcome a narrow deficit at home next Tuesday.

Rade Krunic’s goal-line block denied Khvicha Kvaratskhelia with less than a minute remaining after his own errant pass set up the Georgia winger.

Soon after, Anguissa and Piotr Zielinksi both forced smart Mike Maignan saves, before Rafael Leao squandered a golden opportunity by dragging Milan’s first opportunity wide.

Napoli, on the other hand, ignored that warning, as Brahim Diaz exchanged passes with Leao before flicking towards Bennacer, who smashed a left-footed strike past the helpless Alex Meret.

On the stroke of halftime, Milan should have doubled their lead, but Simon Kjaer headed against the crossbar from Theo Hernandez’s corner.

After the break, Maignan tipped an Eljif Elmas header onto the crossbar, but Napoli’s comeback hopes were dashed when Anguissa was sent off for two yellow cards in quick succession.

Milan still required heroics from Maignan, who parried a late Giovanni Di Lorenzo header wide.