Series A

UCL | Real Madrid 4-2 Napoli: Ancelotti dents Mazzarri progress

Published

1 year ago

7:14 am

Walter Mazzarri’s Napoli fought onerous on the Bernabeu, initially taking the lead via Giovanni Simeone, however the 4-2 defeat to Actual Madrid nonetheless leaves them on the verge of qualification for the final 16.

Luckily, SC Braga had been held to a 1-1 draw by Union Berlin, so so long as they keep away from defeat within the last assembly with the Portuguese aspect, the Partenopei are via.

The ‘new’ coach made his debut with a Serie A victory away to Atalanta and got here to the Bernabeu with out injured Jesper Lindstrom, Mario Rui or Mathias Olivera, whereas Victor Osimhen was solely match for the bench. Carlo Ancelotti missed Thibaut Courtois, Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni.

It was Napoli who broke the impasse when Kvicha Kvaratskhelia floated a ball to the again publish, Giovanni Di Lorenzo volleyed it from the by-line and Simeone was able to faucet in. Andrey Lunin obtained a hand to it, however not sufficient to forestall the ball crossing the road.

Nevertheless, inside 90 seconds Actual Madrid had equalised when Brahim Diaz surged ahead and located Rodrygo to chop inside and blast into the far high nook.

Rodrygo ought to’ve turned it round fully, solely to balloon over after a give and go along with Dani Carvajal.

Jude Bellingham took care of it as an alternative with a free header on the David Alaba ball positioned excessive after an extended interval of possession.

Simeone stung Lunin’s gloves and Piotr Zielinski noticed a strike deflected simply over the bar, whereas on the stroke of half-time an important Ferland Mendy block prevented Simeone sliding on to the Di Lorenzo help from six yards.

Osimhen was launched for the second half and Napoli obtained again on degree phrases. Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa accomplished a give and go along with Di Lorenzo down the suitable, his first try was charged down, however the second was smashed it throughout Lunin with the suitable boot from a tough angle.

Osimhen was ready for the cross to faucet in after a counter, however Federico Valverde obtained again for the decisive interception on Kvaratskhelia’s roll throughout.

Kvaratskhelia’s first contact additionally let him down on the again publish on Di Lorenzo’s cross, however Actual Madrid wasted an enormous alternative when Joselu one way or the other bundled over from point-blank vary on Mendy’s help.

Zielinski was compelled off after a horrible Antonio Rudiger excessive deal with left him with a stud mark on his thigh, with out even a yellow card to point out for it, and Osimhen had the ball within the web after wandering offside on the Matteo Politano cross.

Alex Meret made an excellent response save on the Rudiger header, then caught out a foot to disclaim Bellingham one-on-one when despatched clear on aim, Joselu failing to maintain the rebound in.

After these sensational saves, Meret as an alternative let within the best shot, as Nicolas Paz unleashed a long-range effort that bounced simply in entrance of him and squirmed into the close to backside nook.

Joselu added a fourth in stoppages after a number of ugly misses, as Bellingham laid it on a silver platter for him on the again publish.

Actual Madrid 4-2 Napoli

Simeone 9 (N), Rodrygo 11 (RM), Bellingham 22 (RM), Anguissa 47 (N), Paz 84 (RM), Joselu 94 (RM)