Whatever happens from now on, this Naples is already historic. They defeated Eintracht Frankfurt (3-0) with a double by Osimhen and a goal by Zielinski. For the first time in its history, Naples will be in the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Naples is taking step by step, without putting a limit, dreaming awake.
Next Friday, a new contender will be in the draw of the season. A team that, against the German team, once again showed firmness, freshness, and a deep bench, becoming a great threat in Europe.
Naples jumped in, determined to confirm the round, without hesitation. They played in the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, where only Neapolitan throats were heard after the Italian ban against Eintracht's fans. It was a historic occasion, adding to the dream in which the southern city is immersed.
Spalletti didn't want to speculate, and the 'azzurri' team started very strong, pressing high, aware that a goal in their favor almost closed the duel, but a goal against would open it wide. There was no time to hold back or let minutes pass by.
Lobotka, Anguissa, and Zielinski quickly dominated the midfield, superior to Gotze and company in the battle for the center of the field. They supplied the three attackers that this team has and supported the solid defense in the few difficulties they had in a well-controlled first half.
A control that in football is deceptive, which could have turned into doubts, nerves, and bad sensations at any moment. But that's why Osimhen is on this team, a forward who is full of confidence and who took care of killing the game at a key moment, just before half-time.
His faithful companion, Kvaratskhelia, had already warned in the previous minutes, but could not open the scoring after three chances in which poor finishing or Trapp stood in his way, on a night in which the Georgian did not feel completely comfortable.
Osimhen, who had not had as many chances as 'Kvaradona', took advantage of the first one he had, a cross from Politano, to head the ball from the heart of the area straight into the back of the net and unleash the madness in Naples.
He took off the mask he wears to celebrate, which has become an icon of the city and raises him to the status of a hero every time he wears it. But it wasn't enough for him, and right at the beginning of the second half, he sealed the deal. As the pure number nine he is, he was where he needed to be to push Di Lorenzo's assist into the net.
With a possible surprise avoided and their opponent defeated, Naples dominated with much more calmness, with the tranquility of knowing that they are in the quarterfinals, enjoying the moment with their fans in a Maradonian stadium that celebrated a third goal, scored by Zielinski from the penalty spot after a foul he himself provoked.
Naples enjoyed another magical night in the season. This is how this team plays, devoid of any kind of pressure, as if nothing that happens around them affects them, as if they do this every week, as if they haven't written a new page in the club's history.