Victor Osimhen bagged a brace, including a towering header, before Piotr Zielinski converted a penalty to complete Napoli’s historic 5-0 aggregate thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.

It is also the first time since 2005-06 that three Italian teams are in the final eight.

The Partenopei won the first leg 2-0 in Germany thanks to Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo goals, despite Kvicha Kvaratskhelia seeing a penalty parried. Randal Kolo Muani was suspended, with Jesper Lindstrom and Giacomo Raspadori injured.

The build-up was overshadowed by violent clashes between Eintracht fans and local police, aided by Atalanta ultras, as circa 600 defied a ban on away supporters attending.

Matteo Politano forced a low save from Kevin Trapp in the opening 80 seconds, while Rafael Borre’s header drifted wide and Kvaratskhelia went on a strong run to test the goalkeeper from a tight angle.

Alex Meret rushed out to anticipate Mario Gotze on an inspired Daichi Kamada through ball, while Trapp also had to be alert to get something on Kvaratskhelia’s effort when sent clear by Piotr Zielinski.

Deep into first half stoppages, Napoli found the breakthrough when Politano floated in a cross from the right and Osimhen took off for a towering header into the top corner.

Kim Min-jae surged forward from midfield to steal the ball and hit the side-netting in a surprise foray, but it was Osimhen who doubled his tally when Giovanni Di Lorenzo rolled across from the right for the sliding finish. He became the first Nigerian to score two goals in a Champions League knockout tie.

Napoli kept pushing, Kvaratskhelia’s low strike denied by a one-handed Trapp save, then Zielinski was tripped by Sow for a penalty, which he also converted straight down the middle.

Alex Meret made sure they kept a clean sheet, ensuring all three Italian clubs did not concede a single goal in the Round of 16.

Napoli 3-0 Eintracht (5-0 agg)

Osimhen 45, 53 (N), Zielinski pen 64 (N)

Player statistic

1st half
    26' Yellow card Evan Ndicka
    32' Yellow card Christopher Lenz
Victor Osimhen
(Assist: Matteo Politano)
Goal 45+2'    
2nd half
Victor Osimhen
(Assist: Giovanni Di Lorenzo)
Goal 53'    
Piotr Zielinski Penalty 64'    
    65' Yellow card Mario Götze
Juan Jesus Yellow card 77'    

Match statistic

60
Possession %
40
12
Total shots
6
8
Shots on target
1
2
Shots off target
2
2
Blocked shots
3
4
Corners
3
2
Offsides
0
13
Fouls
15
Napoli
Frankfurt

Starting lineups

1
Goalkeeper
13
Defender
22
6
Defender
3
Defender
66'
99
Midfielder
20
Midfielder
74'
68
Midfielder
77
74'
21
Attacker
66'
9
Attacker
81'
1
Goalkeeper
24
Defender
25
Defender
67'
2
Defender
35
Defender
15
Midfielder
8
Midfielder
27
Midfielder
17
Midfielder
74'
36
Attacker
62'
19
Attacker

Substitutes

55
Defender
19
70
Midfielder
16
Goalkeeper
95
Goalkeeper
17
Defender
5
Defender
66'
11
Attacker
66'
7
Midfielder
74'
91
Midfielder
74'
18
Attacker
81'
21
Attacker
22
Defender
20
Midfielder
18
Defender
40
Goalkeeper
5
Defender
47
Goalkeeper
Attacker
62'
32
Defender
67'
6
Midfielder
74'

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *