Last Updated: March 16, 2023, 07:40 IST
Victor Osimhen scored twice to seal the deal. (AP Photo)
This 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 3-0 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 guarantee no slip-ups in Naples and assist his group safe a simple, and deserved, 5-0 mixture win.
Piotr Zielinski added Napoli’s third from the penalty spot on an ideal evening for southern Italy’s greatest membership, who Osimhen believes can go all the best way.
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“It’s superb to make historical past with this win,” said Osimhen to Amazon Prime.
“We will keep on dreaming, we have the squad to do so (win the Champions League). I think we are on the right path. We have a great coach. We will see what the future holds for us, I think we have a good chance.”
Luciano Spalletti’s facet are shut to securing their first Serie A title in over three a long time and an already outstanding season received even higher with a spot in Friday’s draw for the final eight of Europe’s high membership competitors.
They have been powered to an nearly 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 fun group.
However Spalletti was much less bullish about Napoli’s probabilities than Osimhen, replying with a curt “no” when asked if he was flattered by Pep Guardiola saying his side were the best in Europe.
“It’s a game that people play to put pressure on other teams, it’s a game that everyone knows by now,” stated 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 bother Napoli.
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Oliver Glasner’s facet head out of the competitors on an evening by which 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 nevertheless, 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.
Around the stadium the ambiance was much less fraught as Napoli received by means of with none bother.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia nearly scored his second surprise objective in lower than per week within the nineteenth minute after an excellent sort out from Zielinski despatched him charging in direction of objective.
But he was pressured huge simply as he appeared 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.
However Trapp may do nothing to cease Osimhen placing Napoli forward moments later, the Nigeria worldwide displaying why he is likely one of the most highly-rated strikers on the 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 a less complicated 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 glorious Zielinski was introduced down by Djibril Sow, permitting the Poland midfielder to mud himself down and calmly slot house a spot-kick within the sixty fourth minute.
All that was left was for the packed Stadio Maradona to shout ‘Ole’ at each go as they watched their group make historical past.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 employees and is printed from a syndicated information company feed)
