The Italians came into this match unbeaten at home in 19 matches across all competitions, but Qarabag started with an energy and purpose that belied their underdog status. I
n the drizzle of a brooding Neapolitan night, the away side’s defensive solidity reduced the game to a non-event, with the game lacking genuine goalmouth action for large parts of the first half.
However, Napoli rarely stay dormant for long at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and with 10 minutes left of the first half, a moment of spectacular technique sparked the Partenopei into action.
David Neres’ acrobatic effort from Noa Lang’s cross defied both belief and gravity, but Mateusz Kochalski was equally agile in the Qarabag goal to leap to his left and turn the ball away. Moments later, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo lost his footing when bearing down on goal as his side finished the first half strongly.
This was to be the night that the home side got their UCL campaign back on track, but they would do it the hard way.
After Di Lorenzo was felled just inside the box, Rasmus Hojlund blasted his penalty too central and allowed Kochalski to save, while just after the hour mark, Neres tamely shot at goal from 12 yards out.
Eventually Napoli would take the lead and, far from his spectacular effort during the international break, Scott McTominay’s goal was a simple one, nodding home from close range after Kochalski could only parry the ball into the path of the Scottish midfielder.
With the visitors forced to go in search of an equaliser, chances aplenty opened up for Antonio Conte’s men to seal their win, but a spectacular double save from Kochalski kept the game alive for a while longer.
However, with 20 minutes to go, McTominay’s flick from a cross rebounded off substitute Samy Mmaee and beyond his own goalkeeper, to seal Qarabag’s fate and lift Napoli up to 18th in the league standings.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Mateusz Kochalski (Qarabag)