Real prevent Liverpool’s miracle
The miracle did not materialize: Accompanied by serious riots, Eintracht Frankfurt said goodbye to the Champions League. The Hessen without a chance lost the round of 16 second leg at the Italian top club SSC Naples 0: 3 (0: 1) on Wednesday evening and were eliminated after the 0: 2 in the first leg. In front of around 50,000 spectators, Victor Osimhen (45th + 2nd / 53rd minute) and Piotr Zielinski (64th) scored the goals from the penalty spot for the leaders in Serie A.
The last appearance of Frankfurt in the premier class was overshadowed by violent riots. A few hours before kick-off, supporters of both teams fought street battles with the police in downtown Naples. Burning cars, devastated cafés and flares shaped the spooky scenery. “It’s clear that no one wants to see that. It’s the kind of riots we’ve feared since the day the draw was made. We need to work this out completely. But that takes time,” said Eintracht board member Philipp Reschke, who is responsible for fan issues.
Videos showed how hooligans threw objects such as tables, chairs and firecrackers in the direction of the emergency services. A police car was set on fire. Although the Naples Prefecture had banned ticket sales to Frankfurt fans, several hundred Eintracht supporters traveled to the southern Italian city on Vesuvius without tickets. “It has been seen that such decrees are unsuitable,” said Reschke. “You can’t prevent riots with that.”
Even without the support of his fans, the Europa League winner acted on an equal footing with the home side before the break. This was also due to the fact that coach Oliver Glasner used a more defensive system with a back four for the first time in a long time. Aurelio Buta and Christopher Lenz joined the two central defenders Evan Ndicka and Tuta. That had an effect. Naples struggled and initially hardly embarrassed the guests. Only a shot from an acute angle by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (19) did national goalkeeper Kevin Trapp have to prove his class.
However, little went forward at Eintracht. Only once in the first half was there a flash of danger when Mario Götze came a step too late after a nice pass from Daichi Kamada against the rushing SSC goalkeeper Alex Meret. On the other side, Trapp defused a shot from Kvaratskhelia, who broke through (43′). But he was powerless against the header of Naples top scorer Osimhen. Shortly after the change, the Nigerian, who once failed at VfL Wolfsburg, struck again. After a pass from Giovanni di Lorenzo, the 24-year-old had no trouble completing the goal from close range.
And it got even worse for Eintracht. When Zielinski was brought down by Djibril Sow in the penalty area, England referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the penalty spot. The fouled himself started and transformed ice cold. Although Eintracht tried hard, they were clearly inferior to the Italian title contenders. Without the suspended top scorer Randal Kolo Muani and the injured Jesper Lindström, there was a lack of offensive momentum, and there was no impetus from midfield. So there were no chances. In the final phase, Naples switched to administration mode, so that the Bundesliga club was at least spared from further goals.
Real Madrid confidently against FC Liverpool: Benzema scores to win
In the last round of 16, Real Madrid prevented Liverpool FC from making a comeback. After the 5-2 win in the first leg at Anfield Road, the royal team also won 1-0 (0-0) in the second leg. Karim Benzema scored the goal of the evening in the 78th minute.
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