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Napoli takes a significant step towards the quarter-finals against Eintracht Frankfurt


Photo: Vlad Indrei

         February 21, 2023

Napoli showed that they mean business in the Champions League knockout rounds, sweeping aside Eintracht Frankfurt 2-0 on their own turf. Playing like this, no side will want to face the Italians.

Napoli, who haven't won Serie A since 1990, currently sit atop their domestic league, 15 points ahead of Inter, and have won their last seven games. They did lose out in the last 16 of the Coppa Italia, but are looking good to go further than that in Europe.

Solid at both ends

Napoli's success this season and this evening is largely thanks to two pillars at either end of the pitch: striker Victor Osimhen and centre back Min-Jae Kim. The speedy Nigerian forward has 20 goals this season, including one tonight in Frankfurt after a well-timed run.

At the back, Min-Jae, has become a titan after arriving as an unknown. He is the boss at the back and showed it again against Eintracht with interceptions, clearances and aerial prowess.

How much is Kvaratskhelia worth?

It wasn't his best performance, but the Georgian wasn't deterred by his penalty miss and kept looking to make an impact. His backheel for Di Lorenzo's goal showed his quality and vision.

Photo: Vlad Indrei

The Europa League holders were not at their best and their ineffectiveness was not helped by playing more than half an hour with 10 men after Kolo Muani was sent off.

Goalkeeper Kevin Trapp was the best for the home side and his penalty save kept things from being worse. They'll need a minor miracle in Naples to turn this around.

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