Scintillating Napoli too hot for Benfica
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Article summary
Napoli produced a commanding display against Benfica to make it two Group B wins from two, Dries Mertens scoring twice and Marek Hamšík and Arkadiusz Milik once apiece.
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Napoli laid out their UEFA Champions League ambitions with a commanding victory against a stunned Benfica at the Stadio San Paolo.
Had striker Kostas Mitroglou taken advantage of two presentable opportunities in the first half, things might have turned out differently for the visitors. As it was, once Napoli hit the front through Marek Hamšík's header from Faouzi Ghoulam's corner, there seemed no way back for Rui Vitoria's side, overwhelmed by three goals in eight second-half minutes.
Dries Mertens's free-kick goal was quickly followed by Arkadiusz Milik's penalty. Mertens then deflected in a fourth and while Benfica substitutes Gonçalo Guedes and Eduardo Salvio reduced the arrears, they could not dampen the home celebrations.
Key player: Dries Mertens (Napoli)
Belgian international Dries Mertens was an energetic presence throughout the encounter as Napoli put Benfica to the sword. The 29-year-old scored his team's second with a sweetly struck free-kick that rose up and over the Benfica wall and past the stranded Júlio César. He was then in the right place at the right time to hook in from close range after Milik and Nélson Semedo challenged for a José Callejón cross.
Napoli's strength in depth
While Napoli have had good sides for a few years now in terms of the starting XI, the level of their entire squad has probably never been as high as this season. Consider how centre-back Nikola Maksimović excelled on his Napoli debut after replacing the injured Raúl Albiol early on. Emanuele Giaccherini also made his bow tonight, while Lorenzo Insigne, Manolo Gabbiadini and promising midfielders like Piotr Zieliński, Marko Rog and Amadou Diawara are great options off the bench. Maurizio Sarri is certainly not short of options.
Benfica crumble under pressure
This was the worst possible outcome for a Benfica side that needed to avoid defeat in order not to fall five points behind section leaders Napoli. The manner in which the Eagles succumbed to the intense pressure applied by the hosts will worry coach Rui Vitória, who must now hope for the quick return of key injured players ahead of a matchday three trip to Dynamo Kyiv.
Reporters' views
Paolo Menicucci, Napoli (@UEFAcomPaoloM)
Benfica conceded a late equaliser on matchday one and here they will regret what happened in the early stages of the game when they wasted a couple of great opportunities to take the lead. Would it have been a different contest if they had scored? Probably not, considering how Napoli performed in the second half. The Partenopei can dream big with this attack.
Paul Bryan, Benfica (@UEFAcomPaulB)
What had started as a superb UEFA Champions League encounter with both teams showcasing their attacking attributes suddenly transformed into a one-sided affair after the break. Napoli are now well placed to advance to the knockout phase while there will be a long post mortem at Benfica once the dust settles on this incredible evening.