Even Christian Maggio was on target as Napoli crushed Midtjylland 5-0 to reach the Europa League last 32.
The Partenopei had a perfect Europa League record going into the fourth game, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one, including a 4-1 victory in Denmark. They hosted second-placed Midtjylland without Dries Mertens and Faouzi Ghoulam.
Even Christian Maggio was on target as Napoli crushed Midtjylland 5-0 to reach the Europa League last 32.
The Partenopei had a perfect Europa League record going into the fourth game, scoring 11 goals and conceding only one, including a 4-1 victory in Denmark. They hosted second-placed Midtjylland without Dries Mertens and Faouzi Ghoulam.
It took just 13 minutes for Napoli to break the deadlock, as Lorenzo Insigne’s inspired ball over the top sent Omar El Kaddouri through for a left-foot finish. Remarkably, that was El Kaddouri’s first goal in a Napoli jersey.
Moments later Insigne again provided the assist for Manolo Gabbiadini’s diving header inches wide and they combined again for the second goal.
This time Marek Hamsik threaded through for Insigne and his shot was parried into the path of Gabbiadini to double their lead.
It was a tale of absolute domination at the San Paolo, as El Kaddouri couldn’t quite a control a cross, but David Lopez knocked it on for Gabbiadini to smash home from 12 yards.
Pepe Reina had his first save to make on Kristoffer Olsson from point-blank range after the restart, but Napoli extended their advantage with unexpected goalscorer Christian Maggio. He had a rare start and made the most of it, bursting down the right to place an angled drive in off the inside of the far post. It was the right-back’s first European goal in seven years, since a 3-2 UEFA Cup win over Benfica in September 2008.
Allan’s long-range strike was palmed out from under the bar, while Gabbiadini was denied a hat-trick by a deflection. Jose Callejon was allowed a totally free header on Mirko Valdifiori’s corner to make it 5-0.
Maurizio Sarri’s men have an extraordinary Europa League record this season, winning all four with 16 goals scored and only one conceded. In all competition they’ve won nine of the last 11, scoring 32 and conceding three.
Napoli 5-0 Midtjylland
Scorers: El Kaddouri 13 (N), Gabbiadini 23, 38 (N), Maggio 54 (N), Callejon 77 (N)
Napoli: Reina; Maggio, Chiriches, Koulibaly, Strinic (Hysaj 69); David Lopez, Valdifiori, Hamsik (Allan 53); El Kaddouri, Gabbiadini, Insigne (Callejon 57)
Midtjylland: M Andersen; Romer, Banggaard, Sviatchenko, Novak; Olsson (Sisto 69), K Hansen, J Poulsen, Sparv, Royer; Onuachu (Pusic 62)
Ref: Bastien (FRA)