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Final Up to date: March 16, 2023, 07:40 IST
Victor Osimhen scored twice to seal the deal. (AP Photograph)
That is the primary time of their historical past that Napoli have managed to qualify for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League
Victor Osimhen says Napoli are dreaming of Champions League glory after his brace shot the Serie A leaders to a 3-Zero win over Eintracht Frankfurt and into the quarter-finals for the primary time of their historical past on Wednesday.
Nigeria striker Osimhen struck both facet of half-time to make sure no slip-ups in Naples and assist his crew safe an easy, and deserved, 5-Zero mixture win.
Piotr Zielinski added Napoli’s third from the penalty spot on an ideal evening for southern Italy’s largest membership, who Osimhen believes can go all the way in which.
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“It’s wonderful to make historical past with this win,” mentioned Osimhen to Amazon Prime.
“We are going to carry on dreaming, now we have the squad to take action (win the Champions League). I feel we’re on the proper path. We now have an awesome coach. We are going to see what the longer term holds for us, I feel now we have an excellent probability.”
Luciano Spalletti’s facet are near securing their first Serie A title in over three a long time and an already exceptional season acquired even higher with a spot in Friday’s draw for the final eight of Europe’s high membership competitors.
They’ve been powered to an virtually sure home triumph and a deep run in Europe by the red-hot Osimhen, who has now netted 23 instances in all competitions for probably the continent’s most enjoyable crew.
Nonetheless Spalletti was much less bullish about Napoli’s possibilities than Osimhen, replying with a curt “no” when requested if he was flattered by Pep Guardiola saying his facet have been the perfect in Europe.
“It’s a sport that folks play to place stress on different groups, it’s a sport that everybody is aware of by now,” mentioned an irritated Spalletti.
Eintracht have been with out suspended France ahead Randal Kolo Muani following his sending off within the first leg and the Bundesliga outfit did little or no to hassle Napoli.
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Oliver Glasner’s facet head out of the competitors on an evening wherein their followers have been concerned in critical dysfunction after travelling to Naples regardless of no tickets for away followers being placed on sale.
Eintracht had determined to not take up their ticket allocation for the match after Italian authorities produced two separate bans in a matter of days, fearing a repeat of the difficulty in Frankfurt earlier than the primary leg.
Fan Clashes
That didn’t cease the German membership’s hardcore followers nonetheless, who clashed with native police on a tense night in Naples.
Footage in Italian media from Tuesday additionally confirmed Napoli followers throwing objects at buses carrying Eintracht followers.
Across the stadium the ambiance was much less fraught as Napoli acquired by means of with none hassle.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia virtually scored his second marvel objective in lower than per week within the 19th minute after an excellent sort out from Zielinski despatched him charging in the direction of objective.
However he was compelled extensive simply as he regarded for a capturing probability and ended up being denied neatly by Kevin Trapp, who did properly once more two minutes earlier than the break to denied the Georgian.
Nonetheless Trapp may do nothing to cease Osimhen placing Napoli forward moments later, the Nigeria worldwide displaying why he is among the most highly-rated strikers on this planet with a superbly timed leap and header from Matteo Politano’s hanging cross.
And Osimhen struck once more seven minutes after the break with an easier end, this time tapping in Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s low cross after extra good play from Politano and Kvaratskhelia.
Napoli have been cruising and, after two half-chances for Eintracht’s Daichi Kamada and Rafael Borre and one other good save from Trapp on Kvaratskhelia, they have been three forward on the evening.
The superb Zielinski was introduced down by Djibril Sow, permitting the Poland midfielder to mud himself down and calmly slot residence a spot-kick within the 64th minute.
All that was left was for the packed Stadio Maradona to shout ‘Ole’ at each move as they watched their crew make historical past.
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(This story has not been edited by Timesof24 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
