Just what on earth is going on, Napoli? Sure, the Partenopei are enjoying a great run of form while Ajax are not exactly going through their best moment. But few would have expected to see Luciano Spalletti’s troops wreak havoc at the Johann Cruijff Arena in such an emphatic fashion.
And still, Napoli tore Ajax to pieces by an incredible 6-1 score in Champions League matchday three. It was a phenomenal display in which Giacomo Raspadori grabbed the lion’s share with a brace and Georgian starlet Khvicha Kvaratskhelia continued to be a dominating force among the Azzurri lines.
The Amsterdam night also set some new records. Never had Ajax conceded more than four goals at home in a European competition, and never had Napoli scored six goals outside of Italy. After their thrashing of Liverpool, this is another Champions League night to remember for the Partenopei and their fans.
Considering how things are going and the fact that Napoli are already with one foot and a half in the UCL knockout stage, how many more could potentially follow?
Quite ironically, Napoli had a rough start at the Johann Cruijff Arena. Ajax’s new starlet Mohammed Kudus opened the scoring for de Godenzonen after just nine minutes as he deflected past Alex Meret a Kenneth Taylor shot.
From then on, however, it was radio silence from the home side as Napoli quickly re-organized themselves and initiated a merciless hammering. Mathias Olivera propitiated the Azzurri‘s equalizer with a fine cross that was headed home by Raspadori. Giovanni Di Lorenzo quickly made it two for the visitors in a similar fashion from a Kvaratskhelia cross.
Before the half time break, Piotr Zielinski turned a Frank Zambo-Anguissa service into Napoli’s third, just before leaving the pitch due to an injury. Anguissa’s second assist of the night came two minutes into the second half and gave Raspadori an easy chance to bag his brace.
Was that enough? No way! Kvaratskhelia found the back of the net on 63 minutes and, since when it rains, it pours, Ajax lost Dusan Tadic. The Serbian striker received his marching orders for a useless foul on Olivera. With the home side forced to play with one man less, there was still time for Giovanni Simeone to join the party with a magnificent volley from a Tanguy Ndombele suggestion.
Napoli made a statement, and what a loud one they made!
MATCH SCORECARD
October 4, 2022 – Champions 2022-2023 Group A
AJAX – NAPOLI 1-6
SCORERS: 9′ Kudus (A), 18′ Raspadori (N), 33′ Di Lorenzo (N), 45′ Zielinski (I), 47′ Raspadori (N), 63′ Kvaratskhelia (N), 81′ Simeone (N)
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AJAX (4-3-3): Pasveer; Rensch (85′ Baas), Timber (70′ Grillitsch), Bassey, Blind; Berghuis (71′ Brobbey), Alvarez, Taylor (72′ Klaassen); Tadic, Kudus, Bergwijn (Gorter, Stekelenburg, Wijndal, Magallan, Regeer, Ocampos, Conceiçao, Lucca) Coach: Schreuder |
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NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo (84′ Zanoli), Rrahmani, Kin Min-jae, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka (80′ Gaetano), Zielinski (46′ Ndombele); Lozano, Raspadori (65′ Simeone), Kvaratskhelia (65′ Elmas) (Sirigu, Juan Jesus, Ostigard, Mario Rui, Demme, Zerbin, Politano) Coach: Spalletti |
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Timber, Tadic, Kudus (A), Raspadori (N); Red Card: Tadic (A); Added Time: 1st Half 0′, 2nd Half 1′
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