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.
BODY/EMBODIMENT This page intentionally left blank Body/Embodiment Symbolic Interaction and the Sociology of the Body Edited by DENNIS WASKUL Minnesota State University, Mankato, USA and PHILLIP VANNINI Royal Roads University, Canada
Full text of "The Times , 1978, UK, English" - archive.org
Fantasy Football Interview; A league winner on a mission… When one focuses on the country of Norway, they immediately may think of the beautiful fjords, or maybe the Midnight Sun, Christmas trees, trolls or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Page 4 - Top 5 footballers of 2018 - sportskeeda.com
Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply concerned
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | theScore.com
Argentina have appointed 80-year-old former coach Cesar Luis Menotti as director of national teams, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) said on Monday. Menotti, who led Argentina to their first FIFA World Cup title in 1978, will be charged with overseeing the 10-year plan unveiled last November.
Neymar hints at joining Real Madrid. The world's most expensive football, though, says he is 'very happy' with Paris Saint-Germain
Neymar Hints at Joining Real Madrid - News18
ZURICH: Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. UEFA said the Portuguese would face a hearing on Thursday for "improper conduct" during the
Soccer: Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal
Jahanbakhsh on target as Iran ease past Oman into last eight January 20, 2019 - by admin ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Three-times champions Iran came through an early scare before marching confidently into the Asian Cup quarter-finals for the 13th time in 14 attempts with a 2-0 victory over a spirited Oman team on Sunday.
The power behind the 'baby-faced assassin': Beautiful wife of new Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who met him when they were both football training and their three children who don't even
Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp has urged his players to give "every fibre of their bodies" in the battle for the Premier League title. Manchester City moved to the top of the league on Wednesday for the first time since December after Klopp's side limped to back-to-back draws against Leicester City and West Ham United.
Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will fight with every fibre for
Sep 20, 2017 · Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts on the field in the 4th quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship in Tampa Florida on
Tigers' next foe: Royals riding high as they visit Comerica Park
History made as women to referee men's AFC Cup clash 2019-05-15 Japanese referee Yoshimi Yamashita and assistants Makoto Bozono and Naomi Teshirogi will officiate the AFC Cup match between Myanmar's Yangon United and Cambodia's Naga World at the Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
History made as first all-female referee team to officiate
0 comments:
Post a Comment