In the first leg of the Europa League round of 32, Granada hosted Napoli at Los Carmenes stadium. The Italians were thought to be the technically superior side prior to the match, but their Spanish opponents were by far the more impressive throughout the match. The La Liga side scored two goals in the opening 20 minutes and were able to maintain their lead without any major trouble.
Spanish manager Diego Martínez started with a 4-2-3-1 formation, spearheaded by lone striker Jorge Molina, and supported by Darwin Machis, Angel Montoro and Kenedy.
?⚪️ Este es el 1⃣1⃣ para esta noche.
— Granada CF ❤️⚪️ (@GranadaCdeF) February 18, 2021
¡VAMOS GRANADAAAA!#GranadaNapoli #UEL pic.twitter.com/mGAZlk5raH
The Partenopei coach Gennaro Gattuso deployed a similar lineup, with Victor Osimhen leading the line, and behind him the trio of Fabian Ruiz, Matteo Politano and captain Lorenzo Insigne.
Granada looked like the more comfortable side in the opening minutes, and sent their first warning to Napoli in the 16th minute. Kenedy released the overlapping Dimitri Foulquier who found himself one-on-one with Alex Meret, but the young goalkeeper stood his ground and closed the angle on the Frenchman.
However, the Italians weren’t given a second warning, as their hosts made sure they didn’t miss on the next attempt.
Kenedy sent a wonderful diagonal cross towards Yangel Herrera who sneaked behind the Partenopei defense. His low header was directed towards Meret’s near corner, but the power took it pass the young shot-stopper.
However, the Moorish didn’t stop there. Just two minutes later, Politano lost the ball within the opposition’s half, and the hosts launched a swift counter attack. Maxime Gonalons released Darwin Marchis who set up the ball for Kenedy, and the Chelsea-owned player made no mistake, as he unleashed a low shot towards Meret’s far corner.
Napoli found themselves two goals down after just 20 minutes, but they were barely able to create anything within the first half, as Granada looked defensively solid.
In the 28th minute, Fabian Ruiz dribbled his way through the opposition lines, and set up a shot for Elmas, but his drive went just off target. Two minutes later, the Neapolitan captain Insigne found the overlapping Mario Rui on the left, but the Portuguese couldn’t hit the target.
? | StartingXI: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Maksimovic, Mario Rui, Fabian, Lobotka, Elmas, Politano, Osimhen, Insigne.#GranadaNapoli #UEL
— Official SSC Napoli (@sscnapoli) February 18, 2021
? #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/9kIKevdUkU
The Southerners were expected to enter the second with a different approach, but it was more of the same, as they were only able to produce few half chances.
Mario Rui was behind two of these opportunities. The left back’s smart pass found Piotr Zielinski inside the box, but the substitute’s shot was high and wide. On the second occasion, the former Roma man directed a free kick towards the box, but Amir Rrahmani’s free header also went off target.
6 – Napoli have lost the first leg of a knockout match in Europa League for their sixth time – they were eliminated in all the previous five occasions. Obstacle.#GranadaNapoli #UEL
— OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) February 18, 2021
On the 80th minute, Granada substitute Antonio Puertas almost made it three, but Nikola Maksimovic saved Napoli with a perfect sliding tackle to deny him. The Partenopei finally managed to test the hosts’ goalkeeper when Insigne’s free kick found Osimhen, but Rui Silva dived to catch the Nigerian’s half-volley.
Granada had the final chance of the match, when Mario Rui was forced off the ball inside the Napoli areas, but Herrera’s vicious low drive was kept out by Meret. Therefore, the final result remained 2-0 for the home side, as the Italians were left with everything to do in the second leg.
https://twitter.com/en_sscnapoli/status/1362521450880598016
MATCH REPORT
February 18, 2021 – Europa League 2020-21 Round of 32
GRANADA-NAPOLI 2-0
SCORERS: 19′ Herrera, 21′ Kenedy
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GRANADA (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva; Foulquier, Duarte, Vallejo (23′ Sanchez), Neva (78′ Diaz Victor); Herrera, Gonalons (78′ Eteki); Machis (70′ Puertas), Montoro, Kenedy (70′ Soro); Molina (Aaròn, Arnau, Nehuén, Germàn, Isma Ruiz) Coach: Martìnez |
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NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Maksimovic, Rrahmani, Mario Rui; Fabian Ruiz, Lobotka (64′ Bakayoko), Elmas; Politano (46′ Zielinski), Osimhen, Insigne (Contini, Idasiak, Zedadka, Costanzo, Labriola, D’Agostino, Cioffi) Coach: Gattuso |
REFEREE: Karasev (Russia)
NOTES: Yellow Cards: Foulquier, Rui Silva, Diaz Victor, Montoro, Eteki (G), Elmas, Di Lorenzo, Insigne, Zielinski, Mario Rui (N); Extra Time: 1st Half 2′, 2nd Half 4′