LONDON (REUTERS) - An Aaron Ramsey strike and a Kalidou Koulibaly own goal gave Arsenal a 2-0 victory over Napoli in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final on Thursday (April 11) - and a rare and valuable clean sheet to take to Italy in a week's time.
Arsenal took the lead in the 14th minute through Ramsey, who finished off a sweeping move down the right by calmly slotting the ball past Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.
They doubled the advantage 10 minutes later after a moment of individual brilliance from Lucas Torreira, who dashed through the Napoli midfield before spinning and switching the ball to his left foot and letting fly.
The Uruguayan's shot took a heavy deflection off Senegal defender Koulibaly and was registered as an own-goal.
"We can be happy with this result, but (Napoli) are going to be more competitive away. Our challenge - our success - is going to be if we can be competitive away," Arsenal manager Unai Emery told reporters, repeatedly describing the tie as "50:50".
The Gunners tried to increase their advantage as the first half wore on but they failed to capitalise despite several shots on goal from strikers Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, while Napoli had Meret to thank for numerous saves.
Carlo Ancelotti's men poured forward at the start of the second half in search of an away goal, with striker Lorenzo Insigne's effort ruled offside and Koulibaly denied moments later when keeper Petr Cech tipped his header over the bar.
ARSENAL CHANCES
The game quickly opened up and Ramsey, who will join Napoli's rivals and Serie A leaders Juventus in the close season, and Nacho Monreal created chances at the other end but were unable to outwit Meret again.
Napoli went closest to scoring when Insigne raced down the right and crossed to Piotr Zielinski, but the Pole's right-foot effort shot up over the bar.
"We had our chances and wasted them. We know we didn't have a good game. Now we have to think about the return leg," Insigne told Sky Sports.
"The away goal would have been vital. We have to stay focused, learn from our mistakes and have more courage next week," he said.
The Italian side have now failed to beat English opponents away from their San Paolo stadium in nine attempts in European competition, and will need to find some scoring form at home if they are to progress in the competition.
"I think the second half gave us some idea how we can play the second game," Ancelotti told reporters, suggesting his side had more of the run of play as Arsenal's players tired, a number of them pulling up with cramp as the game neared the end.
JOE BERNSTEIN AT STAMFORD BRIDGE: When Jan Vertonghen gifted Chelsea their opening goal, the groans from Tottenham's dugout would have been echoed in north London and the North-West.
REUTERS: Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has been charged with misconduct for his behaviour during Monday's (Apr 22) 2-2 Premier League draw with Burnley, the English Football Association said.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri charged with misconduct by FA
Football News - England captain Harry Kane insists the Three Lions' squad are too united to be divided by the tension of club rivalries surrounding the English Premier League title race and
Liverpool rediscovered their swagger and stayed top of the Premier League with a thrilling 5-0 win over Watford that was powered by two goals apiece from Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk on
Stylish Liverpool thrash Watford 5-0 to stay top of league
Premier League's Watford were made to sweat to beat lowly Championship club Queens Park Rangers 1-0 on Friday and book their spot in the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second time in four seasons. Watford had possession in the first half but struggled to make any inroads against the solid home defence until Etienne Capoue swept a low shot into
Watford squeeze past QPR into FA Cup last eight - dawn.com
'You never forget comrades. We were all in it together' John Jenkins received his call-up papers late in the day but an old soldier will never refuse to serve his monarch, even at the age of 99.
LONDON, April 30 (Reuters) - Ajax Amsterdam's Donny van de Beek grabbed an early goal to secure a precious 1-0 victory at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on
Champions League: Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Tottenham
Signs of Manchester United revival in loss to City: Wes Brown City were denied a second by a superb goal-line clearance from Ben Mee, who stretched to clear off the line after substitute Gabriel
Wes Brown recognises Ferguson fingerprints at Manchester
Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup 2 Min Read FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Fulham v Manchester City - Craven Cottage, London, Britain - March 30, 2019
Football: Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA
LONDON (REUTERS) - Fulham secured their first clean sheet of the season with some dogged defending in a 0-0 draw with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday (Dec 22).. Read more at
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet
'We can score at Barca' LONDON • Ole Gunnar Solskjaer knows all about improbable Champions League comebacks. It was 20 years ago in Barcelona, where he scored the late winner against Bayern Munich after Teddy Sheringham had equalised just moments before, to give Manchester United a second European Cup.
Man Utd 0-1 Barcelona: Paul Pogba says the comeback against
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen