Another disappointment in Europe for Napoli. The Azzurri made their life a lot more difficult in terms of qualifying by drawing 1-1 at Copenhagen. Conte’s men suffered a comeback from the hosts, despite their numerical superiority. After the lead scored by McTominay in the first half, Larsson equalized in the second half following a penalty caused by Buongiorno’s sensational naivety. Now we will have to wait for the results of Wednesday’s matches to understand where Di Lorenzo and his teammates will find themselves in the standings and whether a victory on the final day against Chelsea will be enough to get through the big group.
CONTE’S CHOICES – Vergara confirmed as starter, Gutierrez returning to the starting eleven in a new position for him, that of winger on the right. These are Antonio Conte’s main choices for the match against Copenhagen. At the center of the defense is Buongiorno in place of the injured Rrahmani.
COPENHAGEN STAYS WITH 10 PEOPLE, MCTOMINAY PUNISHES THE DANISHES – In the 18th minute, the first big chance of the match for Napoli. Splendid action by Vergara who comes close to scoring with a billiard shot, with the ball grazing the post. In the 31st minute Delaney made a crazy save on Lobotka in midfield. The referee initially draws the yellow, then the VAR calls him back to the video and the decision changes. Direct red and Copenhagen with 10 men. In the 38th minute it was the usual McTominay who broke the deadlock. In the center of the area, the Scot headed a corner kicked by Elmas and scored the lead for the Azzurri, who went into the locker room with a one-goal lead.
THE AZZURRI UNDERGO THE COMEBACK IN THE SECOND HALF – At the start of the second half, Vergara tries again, but his shot has little power and the ball ends up in the arms of the Danish goalkeeper. In the 60th minute, following a corner, Madsen finds himself kicking almost undisturbed in front of Milinkovic Savic, but his shot ends up in the arms of the Serbian goalkeeper. In the 62nd minute Conte makes his first changes: Olivera and Lang come on, despite the transfer rumors that want him away from Naples, in place of Spinazzola and Vergara. The two new arrivals immediately became dangerous with a combined action on the left, but the Uruguayan’s final shot was not irresistible. In the 69th minute there was a sensational naivety by Buongiorno, who brought down Elyonossui in the area, causing a penalty kick. Larsson’s son goes from the spot, Milinkovic Savic saves, but the Swede hits the rebound and equalizes. In the 79th minute Conte plays the last card at his disposal: Lucca comes on for Elmas. In the 83rd minute Olivera tries with a header, but Kotarsky saves himself with a corner kick. In the 89th minute, a good chance falls at Lucca’s feet, but the attacker shoots high. In recovery there was just enough time for yet another injury, that of Lang, who suffered a blow to his ankle. It ends 1-1 and now the situation is really complicated for Napoli in Europe.
HAMSIK ATTENDED THE MATCH – Also attending the match was former Italian captain Marek Hamsik, whose son Christian recently signed a contract with Copenhagen.
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