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.
Football. Home football; Transfers; PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United, Pogba sent off. first leg match and had talisman Paul Pogba sent off late in the game on Tuesday.
Champions League: PSG take charge with 2-0 win at United
TOKYO, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Japan captain Maya Yoshida warned his young teammates that they will need to handle the pressure that comes with being Asian Cup favourites as the four-time winners
Pressure comes with the territory warns Japan's Yoshida
Griezmann calls time on Atletico stay as move to Barcelona
Luka Modric criticises Ballon d'Or gala snub by Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo Ada Hegerberg's Ballon d'Or award tarnished by 'twerk' request Luka Modric is the first player to win the Ballon D'Or outside of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi since Brazilian great Kaka in 2007.
Modric criticises Messi, Ronaldo for Ballon d'Or gala snub
Hurt Cheetahs eye Stags' scalp - straitstimes.com
CARDIFF, Wales (REUTERS) - Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday (Jan 12) but
Huddersfield end losing run with draw at Cardiff - Footballghana
Arsenal will face Stade Rennes across two legs in the Europa League last 16 after beating BATE Borisov on Thursday night. The Gunners were 1-0 down on aggregate following last week's first leg
After scoring his 35th goal for France against Iceland, Olivier Giroud wants to surpass Michel Platini's total of 41. Olivier Giroud has Michel Platini in his sights after moving third among
Giroud targets passing Platini's France goal haul - Sportstar
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud wants to move back to France when his contract expires at the end of the season after growing frustrated by a lack of playing time under manager Maurizio Sarri.
Football: Chelsea's Olivier Giroud seeks France return to
LONDON (REUTERS) - Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba struck first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place in the
United dump holders Chelsea out of Cup to pile pressure on
Why Tottenham's surprise Champions League progress means Pochettino's project is at risk Chairman Daniel Levy is determined to put Spurs among Europe's elite as evidenced by the
Pochettino reveals how Spurs must progress to the next stage
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen