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Naples qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in its history by beating Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0, thanks in particular to a double from Victor Osimhen, Wednesday at the Diego Maradona stadium. The three Italian clubs are in the top 8 of the C1.
Napoli validated their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday March 15 by crushing Eintracht Frankfurt 3-0 in the eighth return, allowing Italy to send three clubs into the Top-8 for the first time since. 2006.
After the first leg victory (2-0), a double from Victor Osimhen (45+2nd, 53rd) and a penalty from Piotr Zielinski (64th) allowed Napoli to climb for the first time in their history in the quarter-finals. C1.
Eintracht Frankfurt were never able to challenge Neapolitan supremacy in a meeting preceded by clashes in town in the afternoon between German supporters and law enforcement, against a backdrop of guerrilla images city, including a burnt-out police car, broadcast by the media.
These supporters made the trip without however having access to the Neapolitan stadium, where messages were broadcast in Italian and German calling for “respect for football”. The Italian authorities had previously banned the sale of tickets to residents of Frankfurt for fear of excesses.
On the pitch, as often, it was the insatiable Osimhen and the elusive Khvicha Kvaraskhelia who set the fire. With its attack, Naples confirms that its ambitions will not be limited to Italy, where the scudetto is already almost in the pocket twelve days from the end.
After finishing at the top of their group ahead of Liverpool, Luciano Spalletti’s players still flew over the double confrontation against the defending champion of the Europa League, diminished by the absence of their top scorer Randal Kolo Muani, suspended in Campania after his outward exclusion.
A scudetto lui tend les bras
The Germans were able to dream of a feat for a half thanks to the saves of Kevin Trapp. The German goalkeeper was decisive from the 1st minute in front of Matteo Politano, then Osimhen at the limit of offside (16th) and twice Kvaratskhelia (19th 42nd).
Eintracht was thus able to pose a diffuse threat, with a header off target from a corner by Rafael Borré (9th) or a dangerous deep ball in which Mario Götze did not believe enough (31st).
But everything became impossible for the Germans when Naples took a three-goal lead in aggregate, just before the break, thanks to a header from Osimhen, unopposed to take back a cross from Politano.
On the restart, the Nigerian doubled the lead by throwing himself on a cross from Giovanni De Lorenzo. The double striker hurt his wrist on the spot, but not enough to prevent him from resuming with a bandage.
Piotr Zielinski invited himself to the party by obtaining and converting a penalty (64th).
Naples then finally breathed a little, but without offering the Germans the pleasure of reducing the score. Because coach Luciano Spalletti recalled it on Tuesday: his Napoli does not intend to let go, decided to join in the history of the club the generation Maradona champion of Italy in 1987 and 1990.
With him, it’s all of Italy that finds European ambitions: the country will have three clubs in the quarter-finals after the qualifications of AC Milan and Inter Milan, unheard of since the 2005-06 season.
With AFP
