With two goals in the first half of a 2-0 victory over Sporting Braga at home on Tuesday, Napoli easily advanced to the Champions League knockout stages.
With 10 points, the Italian team finished second in Group C, eight points behind Real Madrid, while Braga secured third place and Europa League football with four points. Union Berlin finished last with two points after losing 3-2 to Real Madrid.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo, the captain of Napoli, stated, “We deserved to qualify, and that’s good. Passing the group was our goal.”
“We have a lot of work ahead of us and need to improve in a few areas, but we are performing well and winning games, so we have hope for the coming year.”
In the ninth minute, Matteo Politano’s pass into the box was converted into his own goal by Serdar Saatci, giving Napoli the lead.
Victor Osimhen backheeled a cross from Natan and then managed to shove the loose ball into the net in the 33rd minute to seal qualification for Napoli, who could afford to lose by one goal. Braga would have to score four goals without answering.
Osimhen scored his first Champions League goal of the year, however he did miss both of Union Berlin’s games due to injury. On Monday, Osimhen was named African Footballer of the Year.
The Portuguese were quicker off the starting line and gave Bruma an early warning when Rodrigo Zalazar’s backheel in the box went wide of the post.
Saatci’s effort at a block hooked his heel and sailed past the goalkeeper Matheus, who frantically tried to claw it away before the referee signaled that the ball had crossed the line. Braga was caught off guard and conceded an own goal.
In the 25th minute, Andre Horta had a chance to tie the score when he had time and space to fire from distance, but goalkeeper Alex Meret misdirected the shot for a corner, giving Osimhen the advantage.
“It wasn’t easy in the group; Meret made some fantastic stops to ensure we didn’t give up goals. We’re glad for him, and it’s crucial that nobody give up a goal,” Di Lorenzo remarked.
Before the half, Bruma had one more opportunity, but his low shot in the 44th minute went straight at the goalie.
Walter Mazzarri, the manager of Napoli, was able to remove Osimhen and Politano in the second half without jeopardizing the outcome.
Mazzarri, who took over for Rudi Garcia in November, witnessed his team bounce back from three straight losses.
Mazzarri remarked, “I’ll have to be good at explaining to the boys the difficulties of being Italy’s champions.”
“I wanted to make it through and avoid giving up goals.” We wanted equilibrium, but we haven’t been able to feel solid.
The Serie A champion Napoli advanced to the quarterfinals of the previous season before losing to AC Milan, another Italian team.
