Even a saved penalty was of no use: SSC Napoli clearly showed Eintracht Frankfurt the limits in the round of 16 of the Champions League.
Frankfurt am Main – In the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League was the SSC Napoli for Eintracht Frankfurt a size too big. The Hessians lost deservedly 0: 2 (0: 1).
Napoli’s Victor Osimhen (2nd from right) gets the ball in front of Tuta and converts it to 1-0 for the guests. © Uwe Anspach/dpa
Keeper Kevin Trapp didn’t change that either, who had had a great day and was even able to parry a penalty in the first half. After top striker Randal Kolo Muani was sent off, the game was over after an hour.
At the beginning of the game, both teams were bursting with enthusiasm before the favored Italians were able to gain an advantage in the first half. As in the 2-0 win against Werder Bremen, the Adlerträger’s defense was mostly bombproof – up until the 34th minute.
After a great pass, Hirving Lozano appeared free in front of Trapp and bolted the ball to the right post. When Aurélio Buta tried to deflect the ball on the left edge of the box, he met Victor Osimhen, who was charging behind him. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia wanted to convert the penalty kick that was due halfway up the left, but Trapp reacted brilliantly (36′).
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However, the joy of the Hessians did not last long. Shortly thereafter, the “Partenopei” used a slight ball loss by Mario Götze to start the counterattack via Lozano.
Osimhen, who ran with him, converted his cross to make it 0:1 (40th). Nigeria internationals scored again just two minutes later, but was ruled offside.
Shortly before the visitors made it 1-0, Kevin Trapp saved a penalty from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. © Arne Dedert/dpa
Randal Kolo Muani flies off the pitch, then it’s 0:2
Frankfurt’s top striker Randal Kolo Muani had a difficult time against the visitors’ defense. In the second half, the striker was sent off after a hard attack. © Arne Dedert/dpa
The goal had left its mark as the Adlerträger seemed unsure in the second half and the Serie A leaders were closer to making it 2-0 than the home side equalized.
Again and again Trapp was the focus, who kept the SBU in the game with two great saves (55th, 57th).
Then Frankfurt continued to weaken itself: Kolo Muani tried to get to the game machine just before the opponent’s penalty area in front of Frank Anguissa. However, he was a step too late and hit the Cameroonian in the ankle with his leg straight. The Portuguese referee Soares Dias showed red (58th).
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Shortly thereafter, Napoli played the Eintracht defense dizzy with a world-class combination. The final assist from Kvaratskhelia with a hoe was netted by Giovanni di Lorenzo with a well-placed shot into the left corner to make it 2-0 (65′).
Kevin Trapp had no chance: Giovanni di Lorenzo sank the ball into the net dry after a great combination to make it 0:2. © Arne Dedert/dpa
The game was now over and Napoli wanted to keep going against Frankfurt who now seemed helpless. Only in the final phase did the SGE appear more courageously. Daichi Kamada had the goal in hand, but was denied by keeper Alex Meret (82′).
So it remained 2-0 for the southern Italians, who had clearly shown the Adlerträger their limits and could have won even better.
As a result, the Hessians have in the second leg on March 15th Diego Armando Maradona Stadium an extremely tough nut to crack in order to perhaps reach the quarter-finals after all.
Despite the defeat, the players were celebrated by their fans. © Arne Dedert/dpa
The statistics of the game between Eintracht Frankfurt and SSC Napoli
Champions League round of 16: first leg
Eintracht Frankfurt – SSC Napoli 0:2 (0:1)
Eintracht Frankfurt: K. Trapp – Tuta, Jakic, N ́Dicka – Buta (69. Knauff), Kamada, Sow, Max (90.+2 Lenz) – Lindström (70. Borre), M. Götze (81. Alidou) – Colo Muani
SSC Neapel: Meret – Lozano (80. Elmas), Osimhen (84. Simeone), Kwaratschelia (84. Politano)
Referee: Artur Dias (Portugal) – Viewers: 47500 (sold out)
Tore: 0:1 Osimhen (40.), 0:2 Di Lorenzo (65.)
Yellow cards: M. Gotze (1) / Kim (2), Diamond (1)
Red cards: Kolo Muani (58’/gross foul play) / –
Special occurrences: K. Trapp (Eintracht Frankfurt) saves a penalty kick from Kwaratschelia (SSC Napoli) (36.)
