……… Serie A table-toppers continue a fine season with a dominant Champions League win, thanks to goals from Victor Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo… as Randal Kolo Muani is sent off for hosts
Victor Osimhen scored his 20th goal of the season in Napoli’s 2-0 victory away to Eintracht Frankfurt on Tuesday, which saw them take charge of their Round of 16 Champions League tie.
Eintracht Frankfurt started the first leg well, with a chance of falling to Randal Kolo Muani in the fifth minute. With his back to the goal, he managed to cleverly flick it by Amir Rrahmani before turning and firing it wide across the face of the goal, Eurosport reports.
Napoli thrived in the contest and had a chance in the 35th minute to take the lead after Hirving Lozano hit the post.
Instants later, Aurelio Buta strumbled Osimhen, who was chasing Lozano’s rebound, and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot, but Kevin Trapp came up trumps for the hosts, saving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s penalty.
Napoli continued to push Eintracht before the half-time whistle and reaped the rewards in the 40th minute as Philipp Max gave the ball away, allowing Lozano to cross it to Osimhen at the far post, who bundled the ball into the back of the net. The goal meant that the striker has now scored in his eighth consecutive start for Napoli.
Frankfurt was unable to assess themselves early in the second half, and a straight red card to Randal Kolo Muani for a reckless foul saw them go down to ten men in the 58th minute.
Napoli took advantage of being a man-up and scored their second goal shortly after. Kvaratskhelia’s clever backheel flick straight into the path of Giovanni Di Lorenzo allowed the Napoli captain to hit the ball first-time straight into the bottom corner.
Up next, Frankfurt will take on RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga, while Napoli will turn their focus to Empoli in Serie A.
All three of Eintracht Frankfurt’s Champions League games in which they’ve failed to score have been at home, while 80% of the goals they’ve conceded in the competition have come in their three defeats.
Napoli won an away match in the Champions League knockout rounds for the first time, having lost their previous three such games before today’s match.
