[스포츠한국 김성수 기자] Napoli, started by Kim Min-jae (27, SSC Napoli), overcame a missed penalty and won the first leg of the round of 16 against Frankfurt (Germany).
Napoli won 2-0 in an away match against Frankfurt in the first leg of the round of 16 of the 2022-2023 European Football Federation (UEFA) Champions League held at Deutsche Bank Parque in Frankfurt, Germany at 5 am on the 22nd (of hereafter Korean time). The team that advances to the quarter-finals will be decided by adding up the scores of the second leg of the round of 16, which will be held at Napoli’s home on the 16th of next month.
While the away team Napoli increased their possession and took the lead, the home team Frankfurt threatened the opponent with intermittent counter-attacks.
Nevertheless, both teams failed to create a threatening scene until the 30th minute of the first half.
Kim Min-jae did his part despite the team’s sluggish attack. In the 30th minute of the first half, in Frankfurt’s counterattack situation, he pushed the ball into Napoli’s box and stopped opposing striker Randall Colo Muani with a clean tackle.
At the 34th minute of the first half, Irving Lozano’s shot hit the post and Napoli striker Victor Osimen followed him. Napoli’s penalty was called when Frankfurt defender Tuta kicked Osimen in the leg as he tried to clear the ball from the left side of the box. However, in the 36th minute of the first half, Hvita Kvarachhelia’s right foot kick was blocked by the goalkeeper and the balance was kept at 0-0.
However, Napoli quickly turned the tide. On the 40th minute of the first half, in Napoli’s counterattack situation, Rossano stabbed a cross quickly from the right side of the box with his right foot, and Osimen scored with two touches with his right and left feet. Napoli lead 1-0. There was a similar goal to be seen on 41 minutes of the first half, but the goal was canceled as the offside was declared.
The first half ended with Napoli leading 1-0. Napoli defeated Frankfurt with a share of 66-34 and 4-0 effective shots.
Frankfurt were even more outnumbered in the second half. In the 13th minute of the second half, Randall Colo Muani tried to touch the ball in front of the Frankfurt box, but made a deep tackle on the ankle of Napoli midfielder Jambo Angusa.
Napoli scored an extra goal based on their numerical advantage. In the 20th minute of the second half, Kvarazhelia, who received Jambo Angusa’s forward pass from the right inside the Frankfurt box, conceded a back-heel pass, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo finished with his left foot, putting Napoli on the 2-0 lead.
Napoli, who kept this lead until the end, won the first leg 2-0 and took advantage of advancing to the quarter-finals.
