Mueez Ajao
– Victor Osimhen scored his 20th goal of the season as Napoli beat 10-man Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
– After Khvicha Kvaratskhelia had a penalty saved, Osimhen struck in the first half when he turned in Hirving Lozano’s superb pass.
– It got worse for Frankfurt midway through the second half as Randal Kolo Muani was sent off for a bad challenge.
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– Giovanni di Lorenzo then added a second, placing into the far corner.
– The victory gives Napoli a big advantage for the return leg in Italy on Wednesday, 15 March.
– Luciano Spalletti’s side have been in superb form this season and sit 15 points clear at the top of Serie A.
– They went into this game on the back of five successive wins and looked confident from the outset, with their pace on the attack often causing problems.
– Osimhen, in particular, was a menace throughout and he won the first-half penalty when he was fouled inside the box as he tried to retrieve the ball.
– Trapp did superbly to deny Kvaratskhelia but could do little to prevent Osimhen tapping in from close range soon after.
– Frankfurt’s hopes of getting back level were dealt a big blow midway through the second half when key forward Kolo Muani was dismissed for standing on Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa’s foot as they challenged for possession.
– Napoli then made the most of the man advantage as they grabbed a second that puts them firmly on course for the quarter-finals as Di Lorenzo finished superbly from Kvaratskhelia’s backheel.
Huge away win for Napoli 🔵#UCL pic.twitter.com/GRLXth67YO
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 21, 2023
