Wednesday, March 15, 2023 at 10:50 PM• Jonathan van Haaster • Last update: 23:11

Napoli has qualified for the quarterfinals of the Champions League. The team of coach Luciano Spalletti was 3-0 too strong for Eintracht Frankfurt in its own Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Victor Osimhen (twice) and Piotr Zielinski scored the goals. After the 0-2 victory in Germany three weeks ago, it was more than enough to reach the next round. Napoli thus remains in the race for his second European prize in club history. Conquered in 1989 i Partenopei also thanks to Diego Maradona the UEFA Cup.

Spalletti chose the expected eleven names, which meant that former PSV player Hirving Lozano started on the bench. His right wing position was taken by Matteo Politano. On the left side of the attack was Kvicha Kvaratskhelia, while Osimhen held the striker position. Stanislav Lobotka, who extended his contract until mid-2027 on Wednesday, was central in midfield. On the Frankfurt side, Mario Götze was given a starting spot in the number 10 position, behind striker Rafael Santos Borré. Daichi Kamada (left) and Ansgar Knauff (right) swept the flanks. Beforehand, the match was mainly dominated by the Frankfurt hooligans, who fought heavy fights with the local police in Naples on Wednesday afternoon. After disturbances surrounding the first leg, Italian authorities have already decided not to allow away fans.

Napoli shot out of the starting blocks and immediately put pressure on Frankfurt’s goal. Within a minute, Politano tested Kevin Trapp’s reflexes, who was ready. Frankfurt knew it had to use its chances to have a chance and could have taken the lead in the tenth minute. Santos Borré was found uncovered in the box, but his sights were not on target. On the other hand, Kvaratskhelia pushed a dribble a little too far, allowing his shot to be deflected from a difficult angle by Trapp. Frankfurt could do little offensively. Götze did go to Alex Meret, but the latter reached the ball earlier. The first half seemed to end in 0-0, but Osimhen thought otherwise. The Nigerian appreciated Politano’s cross and saw his header hit the far corner: 1-0.

Eight minutes after the break, Napoli came 2-0. Kvaratskhelia brought the ball to Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who with his pass at the far post ensured that Osimhen only had to tap in. However, the cheers quickly died down, as Osimhen cried out in pain after his goal with an apparently serious wrist injury. The attacker nevertheless remained standing. The tension had disappeared from the diptych and so the Napoli fans had to be spoiled mainly through individual class. Kvaratskhelia showed himself with a good shot and some billiard shots. One of his passes landed on Zielinski, who was hooked by Sow. Referee Anthony Taylor whistled for a penalty kick, which was used by Zielinski himself: 3-0. There would be no more scoring. The final phase was mainly dominated by substitutions and sloppiness.