Theo Hernandez backs AC Milan for Champions League glory as Victor Osimhen absence leaves Napoli with striker crisis

Theo Hernandez insists AC Milan have what it takes to win the Champions League, as they prepare to take on a Napoli side facing a striker crisis after star man Victor Osimhen was ruled out.

Osimhen has been a key figure in Napoli romping 16 points clear at the top of Serie A and reaching their first-ever Champions League quarter-final, scoring 25 goals in all competitions.

But the Nigeria striker has failed to recover from a muscular injury and was left out of Luciano Spalletti’s matchday squad.

“Milan can win the Champions League,” said Rossoneri and France full-back Hernandez.

“The important thing is to do what we know against Napoli. We have worked well ahead of this match.

“It won’t be the same as in the league game. We’re expecting a strong Napoli side. We have prepared well and we will have 12 men at San Siro thanks to our fans.”

Napoli’s problems are deepened by the absence of second-choice striker Giovanni Simeone, who is also out through injury, leaving Giacomo Raspadori as the only centre-forward in the squad.

However, there are concerns over Raspadori’s fitness too as the Italy international is just returning from a hamstring problem and Friday’s 2-1 win over Lecce marked his first Serie A start since November 8.

That has led to reports that midfielder Eljif Elmas or winger Hirving Lozano could be forced into an unfamiliar role spearheading the attack.

Milan coach Stefano Pioli admitted that the absence of Osimhen will hurt his opponents.

“We’re talking about a great striker, he has scored goals consistently in the league and in Europe,” he said.

“But up until the game against us, Napoli had always won without Osimhen. We’re talking about a great team that has all the qualities needed to be feared.

“The match in the league will obviously give us an idea, but there’s no way it will be the same match again.

“I think we can expect something different from Napoli so we need to be aware whether we need to make changes from the match in the league.”

Milan’s clash against Napoli kicks off at 8pm BST on Wednesday, April 12.