Napoli’s Europa League dreams hang in the balance after a surprise 1-1 home draw in which Dnipro scored an offside goal.
The Partenopei aimed to continue their march towards the Europa League Final, as Rafa Benitez was determined to win a record third edition. Jonathan de Guzman, Michu and Juan Camilo Zuniga were injured, while Lorenzo Insigne and Jorginho were preferred to Dries Mertens and Gokhan Inler. The Ukrainians missed Ondrej Mazuch, Egidio, Yevhen Shakhov and Roman Zozulya.
Napoli’s Europa League dreams hang in the balance after a surprise 1-1 home draw in which Dnipro scored an offside goal.
The Partenopei aimed to continue their march towards the Europa League Final, as Rafa Benitez was determined to win a record third edition. Jonathan de Guzman, Michu and Juan Camilo Zuniga were injured, while Lorenzo Insigne and Jorginho were preferred to Dries Mertens and Gokhan Inler. The Ukrainians missed Ondrej Mazuch, Egidio, Yevhen Shakhov and Roman Zozulya.
Lorenzo Insigne had a sensational early chance, but his half-volley from distance clipped the outside of the near post.
The little Italian also threatened when prodding wide from a Gonzalo Higuain assist, but for most of the first half Napoli kept futile possession. Jose Callejon was particularly frustrating, caught repeatedly offside.
The deadlock was finally broken after the restart, as David Lopez was forgotten by defenders to nod in an Insigne corner from six yards. It was the Spanish midfielder’s first goal for the Partenopei.
Denys Boyko needed a desperate save with the inside of his ankle as Higuain tried to nutmeg him at the near post. A few minutes later Boyko repeated the trick with his feet on Pipita.
Marek Hamsik’s splendid cross-field pass sent Higuain running, but he pulled back for Callejon to scuff off target. Boyko beat away an Insigne curler, but nobody was ready to tap in the rebound, and again used his legs to deny Higuain from a Hamsik through ball. Boyko also fingertipped another Higuain strike over the bar.
All those wasted opportunities proved costly, as with nine minutes to go Yevhen Seleznyov tapped in at the back post when Roman Bezus failed to make contact with the Artem Fedetskiy cross from the right. However, replays show Seleznyov, who had been on the pitch for a matter of seconds, was offside.
Napoli laid siege to the Dnipro goal with a series of corners, but were again left frustrated with a very disappointing 1-1 home draw. As things stand, the Ukrainians would qualify on away goals.
Napoli 1-1 Dnipro
Scorers: David Lopez 50 (N), Seleznyov 81 (D)
Napoli: Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; Jorginho, David Lopez (Gargano 71); Callejon (Gabbiadini 77), Hamsik, Insigne (Mertens 82); Higuain
Dnipro: Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Leo Matos; Kankava (Bezus 69), Fedorchuk; Luchkevych (Bruno Gama 57), Rotan, Konoplyanka; N Kalinic (Seleznyov 80)
Ref: Moen (NOR)