Napoli has no trouble with Eintracht and is CL quarterfinalist for first time

Napoli qualified for the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time without much trouble. The Italians won 3-0 over Eintracht Frankfurt at their own Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and that was more than enough after the 2-0 win three weeks ago in Germany.

Napoli, which in Serie A with an eighteen-point lead over “chaser” Internazionale is fast on its way to its first league title since 1990, could do little more in the second meeting with Eintracht. Not least because the Germans were missing in attack the suspended Randal Kolo Muani (he received red in the first game) and injured Jesper Lindstrom.

Moreover, the guests had to do without the support of their own supporters, as the Italian authorities had already denied them access in advance, fearing disturbances. But they came anyway. Before the match, heavy fighting broke out between police and fans of the German club, who had traveled to Naples after all.

Chvitsja Kvaratschelia had two best chances before halftime to make Eintracht’s task even more difficult than it already was. The Georgian revelation of this season pounced on goalkeeper Kevin Trapp both after a long rush and after a clever pass from Piotr Zielinski.

The latter, however, was defenseless in the extra time of the first half on the clever header from Victor Osimhen, who was allowed too much freedom after Matteo Politano’s cross: 1-0.

And in the 53rd minute it was on target again and again through Osimhen, who has been playing with a mask since his eye fracture a year and a half ago, although it is no longer necessary from a medical point of view. The popular Nigerian rounded off a fine Neapolitan attack with a nick, though he injured his arm in the process.

The strong-playing Zielinski then added to his tally, scoring 3-0 from the penalty spot. That was also the signal for the men of success coach Luciano Spalletti, who overcame Ajax 6-1 and 4-2 in the group stage, to let go of the gas.