In-form Napoli qualify for knockout stages with fourth straight win
The loss of Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Kalidou Koulibaly had many Napoli fans fearing the worst this season. But they’ve been irresistible so far, and as was the case last week in Amsterdam, Ajax had no answer to Napoli’s might in the final third.
Roared on by a raucous crowd, the hosts took just three and a half minutes to break Ajax down this time around, and after playing a smart one-two with Piotr Zielinski, Hirving Lozano’s run into the box allowed him to loop a header over Remko Pasveer to break the deadlock.
The Mexican missed a big chance to double the lead, as he was the first to respond to a poor clearance following an outrageous dribble from Khvicha Kvaratshkelia, blasting his left-footed volley over the bar.
The Georgian would turn provider before the break though, feeding Giacomo Raspadori to rifle home his fourth goal in three Champions League appearances.
Alfred Schreuder had his work cut at the break to convince his players they could rescue their fading chances of qualification to the knockout stages.
Clearly his efforts had a positive effect, as Ajax reduced the arrears within four minutes of the restart through Davy Klaassen’s powerful header.
The visitors’ momentum would soon be extinguished by a controversial refereeing decision.
Jurrien Timber was adjudged to have handled Tanguy Ndombele’s shot and a penalty was awarded, eventually converted by Kvaratshkelia to restore Napoli’s two-goal cushion.
But just as Napoli looked to be in cruise control, Ajax won a penalty of their own in the final stages, when Brian Brobbey was hauled over by Juan Jesus, and Steven Bergwijn converted from 12 yards to set up a grandstand finish.
Far from sit back though, Luciano Spaletti’s men plundered a fourth goal in the 90th minute, when Victor Osimhen picked Daley Blind’s pocket within the 18-yard box, allowing the Nigerian to tap home his first goal since August.
Impressively, this was Napoli's ninth win across their last 13 UCL home games, while Ajax – with a mountain to climb to get out of the group stages – are now winless in six against Italian opposition.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Khvicha Kvaratshkelia (Napoli)