Head coach Oliver Glasner made just the one change to his starting line-up following Saturday’s 2-0 win over Werder Bremen, with Aurélio Buta recalled on the right in place of Ansgar Knauff.
Chances for the Eagles
The game off to a fast-paced start, with Eintracht pressing aggressively and preventing Napoli from getting into their rhythm. Both sides had half-chances in the early stages, with Randal Kolo Muani and Mario Götze both volleying off target for the Eagles. At the other end, Kevin Trapp had to be alert at his near post from a corner, before pushing away Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s effort after another corner was cleared.
The Serie A leaders then began wrestling control of the game and had the best opportunity up to that point on 34 minutes, when Hirving Lozano struck the inside of the near post. However, as Buta tried to clear the loose ball, he was chased down by Victor Osimhen and caught the Napoli frontman in the box, but Trapp guessed the right way and produced a superb save to keep out Kvaratskhelia’s penalty. The visitors’ pressure eventually paid off just four minutes later, when they countered down the right through Lozano, whose cross was turned in by Osimhen from close range. The Nigerian nearly made it 2-0 from an almost identical situation a minute later, but the goal was ruled out for offside and it remained 1-0 at the break.
Red card for Eintracht
The Italian side continued to make life difficult for Eintracht and created some presentable chances. One of these allowed Kvaratskhelia to run through on goal, but again Trapp got the better of him. Two minutes later, the Eagles’ task was made even harder when Kolo Muani was shown a straight red card after catching André-Frank Zambo Anguissa late.
Napoli sensed the opportunity to increase their lead and soon did so, captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo finishing off a fine move. Zambo Anguissa could have added a third, but just missed the target. Eintracht – and their supporters – kept battling and Daichi Kamada had the chance to pull a goal back in the 82nd minute, but Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret saved to keep the score at 2-0.
Summary: Not over yet
After a bright start, Eintracht were increasingly pushed back by Napoli, who showed why they’re top of Serie A. With a two-goal deficit and Kolo Muani suspended for the second leg in three weeks’ time, the Eagles certainly have a mountain to climb, but it’s not over yet.
SGE line-up
Trapp – Tuta, Jakic, Ndicka – Buta (Knauff 69’), Kamada, Sow, Max (Lenz 90’) – Lindström (Borré 69’), Götze (Alidou 81’) – Kolo Muani
Goals
0-1 Osimhen (40‘)
0-2 Di Lorenzo (65‘)
