Napoli took a step forward in their Champions League campaign with a comfortable, if not ineffective, 4-2 win over Benfica in the Stadio San Paulo.
Marek Hamšík opened the scoring in the first-half, but it was Dries Mertens who spent the game ensuring that Benfica’s defence will sleep uneasily tonight. The Belgium international scored two goals and was at the heart of much of Napoli’s build-up play in the final third.
Despite finishing out on top, Napoli begun the game on the back-foot, but Benfica failed to take advantage of two great opportunities early on. Before the game Napoli manager Maurizio Sarri warned that Benfica were “great on the ball” and that it’s “not easy to win the ball back quickly from them… You can’t force them into an error”.
Sarri’s predictions seemed to be ringing true as Benfica dominated possession during the opening exchanges. Passing between the Napoli players, Benfica sculpted two great chances that they would go on to rue wasting.
Marek Hamšík’s opening goal came in the 20th minute, but Napoli failed to add a cushion going into the half-time break despite taking the control of the match. After the interval Napoli were clinical. In the 51st minute Mertens found himself dragged down on the edge of the penalty area and earned his team free-kick, which he duly swept into the top corner past a leaping Júlio César. Just three minutes later Napoli were awarded a penalty, which Milik coolly dispatched. And finally in the 58th minute Napoli finished a seven-minute-salvo with Mertens capitalising on chaotic Benfica defending to poke home his second of the match.
The Belgian spent much of the tie terrorising Benfica’s Nélson Semedo, who found it hard to contain the Belgian. Napoli’s patient and methodical style of play was a perfect match against a team like Benfica, who after finding themselves being quashed, reacted by pressing Napoli further, which only gave the Neapolitans more space to exploit in-between the lines.
Mertens played a key role in the build-up play of Napoli’s attacks, as they probed and prodded Benfica into making mistakes at the back. By full-time Benfica finished the match with four yellow cards, a product of rash fouls on Napoli’s players in attempt to stop the Neapolitans from punishing them anymore.
Dries’ two goals against Benfica raised his total for the season to four in in all competitions. With Mertens continuing his fine form, it’s hard to see how Lorenzo Insigne fits into the side, unless he isn’t played in his favoured left-wing position. Despite not scoring himself, José Callejón was somewhat impressively on the opposite side of Mertens. The Spanish international was solid in the build-up play, as were many of Napoli’s players, but lacked a final ball on a few occasions.
Napoli’s next game is against Atalanta, away from home. The match should be routine for Napoli and it could give Sarri an opportunity to rotate his side ahead of their match against Roma. Whether Mertens is given the chance to continue his impressive form remains to be seen, but it would be a shame to see a player who looks so dangerous at the moment be benched.
Napoli marked their Champions League return to the San Paolo against Benfica with an empathic win over Portuguese League Champions Benfica.
Goals from Hamsik, Mertens (2) and Milik sealed a 4-2 win for the partenopei in their second game in the group stage and go four points clear at the top of Group B
Pepe Reina: (6.5) After an earlier mistake almost gave Benfica the lead, the Spandiard produced a great save when Benfica were on top in the game. It proved crucial, as Napoli went onto win the game in convincing fashion.
Elseid Hysaj (7) A more defensive performance from the Albaninan than what we are used to seeing on a weekly basis. Benfica’s left side was the danger and he done well to keep the likes of Grimaldo and and Carrillo. Crucial interception at the beginning of the game to stop Benfica taking the lead when Reins fumbled a cross into danger.
Raul Albiol (N/A) The Spandiard went off injured with a hamstring problem early into the game.
Kalidou Koulibaly (6.5) A solid game for the Senegalese defender who had to adapt his game when his partner Albiol went off injured. A huge presence at the back which will benefit Napoli against the bigger teams going forward.
Faouzi Ghoulam (6.5) Going forward on that left side he is crucial to Napoli’s play with that trio of Hamsik and Mertens. Assisted Hamsik for the opening goal of the game, with a great cross to the near post. His defensive game still needs improving as he was caught sleeping for Benfica’s second goal.
Jorginho (6.5) A rare but yet sloppy mistake from the Italian gave Benfica a lifeline in the game when it seemed Napoli were all but comfortable at 4-0. His mistake allowed Benfica to grow in confidence and unsettle his side.
Allan (7) Tireless performance from the Brazilian midfield who covered a lot of ground across the pitch. A very underrated player for Napoli in the role he plays.
Marek Hamsik (8.5) A true captain’s performance from the Napoli legend himself. Scored his 100th goal over the weekend and continued where left off by scoring 101st for the club. A bullet of a header to give Napoli the lead and a dominant performance in the midfield. Outstanding player to watch.
Jose Callejon (6.5) A quiet performance from the Spandiard as his only contribution to the game was to win the penalty for the third goal after some clever play.
Arkadiusk Milik: (7.5) A Balotelli esque performance from the Pole tonight and nothing wrong with that. Scored a penalty and set up Mertens second goal of the game. Was kept quiet throughout the game except those key moments, and that’s crucial for any player to stay sharp when the opportunities present themselves.
Dries Mertens (9) MOTM: Outstanding game from the Belgium International after a quiet start to the game. Scored an excellent free-kick to give Napoli a 2 goal cushion, and scored the fourth to seal the result for the partenopei.
Substitutions:
Nikola Maksimovic: (7) His debut for Napoli came on the biggest stage at club football and the Serbian hardly put a foot wrong all game. A solid match for the former Torino defender who will now surely replace Albiol in the side.
Lorenzo Insigne: (6) Did very little in his time on the pitch. The game was all but won at that point. Going to find it difficult to replace Mertens for the Champions League games at this rate.
Emanuele Giaccherini: (N/A) Made his debut for Napoli after a summer switch from English side Sunderland. Did nothing in his cameo appearance from the bench.
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