Europa League: http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Napoli-c40003 held back by Villarreal to draw at home
The highly anticipated Europa League round of 32, first leg game between SSC Napoli vs. http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Villarreal-CF-c40899 ended in a scoreless yet entertaining draw.
Despite having the advantage of being hosts to Spanish Primera Division football club, Partenopei were unable to make their home advantage count.
The match started with both teams trying to play it safe as all the action remained in the midfield. However, the Azzurri were more willing to take their chances and were able to break down the defensive lines of the Yellow Submarine a few times.
The fixture ended rather disappointingly for the Azzurri, being a step ahead of its opponents in just about everything but failing to utilize the opportunities created. Villarreal on the other hand were strong and sharp on defence.
In the post match press conference, the Partenopei manager, Walter Mazzarri, claimed that his team was the more dangerous side on the pitch.
“The behaviour of my players was exceptional. We created three or four really clear-cut chances, above all Edinson Cavani’s header just before half-time and http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ezequiel-c13065 Lavezzi’s shot after the break. If Cavani had scored, then the match would’ve taken a very
different turn”, he said.
Villarreal were looking strong through the group stages but were reckoned to be no match for Napoli on home ground. Napoli’s striker, Edison Cavani, has been the top scorer in Serie A and has been in good touch at the Europa League too.
All eyes were on the hit-man to give a breakthrough to the hosts but his efforts remained in vain as the Yellow Submarine goalkeeper, Diego Lopez, managed to keep his net well defended.
Mazzarri was still confident that his team deserved victory and they will win the return leg in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Spain-c3011. The Azzurri boss acknowledged the strengths of the Spanish outfit but yet again boasted about his outfit’s supremacy.
“We must take into account the strength of our opponents. I will not give a percentage on our chances of getting through. We will go to the Madrigal to play our game, just as we did this evening. Napoli was the more dangerous side”, Mazzarri concluded.
Napoli now faces Villarreal at El Madrigal stadium, the home ground of the Yellow Submarines. The Spanish outfit has an outstanding home record in La Liga, playing 12 matches, winning 10 and losing just a single game.
Despite Mazzarri’s over-confidence, the Italians need to be well prepared in order to face a tougher Villarreal side.
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