Napoli played a desperately disappointing goalless draw with Dynamo Kiev, meaning they need at least a draw at Benfica to qualify.
See how it unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
Napoli played a desperately disappointing goalless draw with Dynamo Kiev, meaning they need at least a draw at Benfica to qualify.
See how it unfolded on the LIVEBLOG.
The Partenopei had started so strongly in this tournament with two straight wins, including a 2-1 in Kiev with an Arek Milik brace, but had one point from the last two games. Benfica fumbled a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Besiktas earlier this evening, so they knew qualification could not be secured today.
Raul Albiol returned after a month out to bolster the defence, while Dries Mertens was again used as a False 9, because Manolo Gabbiadini’s exit seems imminent. Dynamo missed Valeriy Fedorchuk and Danilo Silva.
The Ukrainians had a very high defensive line and Mertens sprung the offside trap in the opening minutes, goalkeeper Artur Rudko sprinting off his line for a desperate sliding tackle.
Napoli put together a series of corners, including Torino transfer target Domagoj Vida charging down efforts from Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon.
Rutko had to perform another last-ditch challenge on Mertens outside the box, but Insigne thought he had the opener when running on to a Mertens through ball in acres of space and was clear on goal when he incredibly tripped up over his own feet.
Marek Hamsik fired straight at the goalkeeper, but when Napoli did get crosses into the box, there were often no players ready to meet them.
Insigne wasted another opportunity with an over-hit chipped pass for Callejon when Hamsik was in a much better position to score.
The problems continued straight after the restart with Callejon lobbing a cross straight out of play following a poor Dynamo Kiev clearance. The Spain international did considerably better moments later, a Hamsik header skimming the far top corner of the net.
Yevhen Makarenko came sliding in to intercept another Hamsik pass from six yards and turned it over the bar, risking an own goal, while Insigne curled straight into the goalkeeper’s arms.
There was a risk at the back too, Yarmolenko shaking off Faouzi Ghoulam only for Serhiy Sydorchuk to balloon off target. Napoli had only failed to score in one Champions League game, against Arsenal in 2013, but were looking decidedly uninspired.
It really was not Insigne’s night and he wasted another chance by firing at the goalkeeper when he had so many other options to choose from. Hamsik hit a rocket from the edge of the box to sting Rudko’s gloves at the near post and Manolo Gabbiadini replaced a disappointing Insigne.
Elseid Hysaj got away with an error gifting Derlis Gonzalez in the penalty area. Gabbiadini’s strike skimmed the far post and moments later another effort was beaten away with so difficulty by Rudko, while Mertens curled wide.
There was a huge risk at the 84th minute, Kalidou Koulibaly shinning a clearance and Pepe Reina dropping the ball, very fortunate to get away with it. There were loud jeers at the final whistle, because this was a terribly disappointing performance and result.
Napoli 0-0 Dynamo Kiev
Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Diawara, Zielinski (Allan 78), Hamsik; Callejon, Insigne (Gabbiadini 66), Mertens (Giaccherini 86)
Dynamo Kiev: Rudko; Morozyuk, Khacheridi, Vida, Makarenko; Rybalka; Yarmolenko, Sydorchuk (Orikhovskiy 67), Garmash, Tsygankov (Gonzalez 60); Besedin (Moraes 81)
Ref: Hategan (ROU)
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