Napoli washout in Ukraine
It was a night set up for an upset. Perhaps we should have seen it coming. The relentless rain at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium seemed to be washing away Napoli’s hopes of a first European final since 1989.
Rafa Benitez, speaking before the match, mused over whether the conditions would mean “the ball moves quickly or players fall over.”
In the end, Napoli would find themselves more towards the latter category. Throughout the 90 minutes (and five added on), they never got to grips with the task at hand.
Benitez, famed for his tactical nous, spent the night frantically trying to orchestrate his team into a winning formula, but without success.
In contrast, Dnipro, who were roared on by a partisan following of 65,000 plus, many of whom had traveled significant distances to be at the game, had a clear plan.
Their Coach, the vastly experienced Myron Markevych, had them organised, disciplined and determined.
Onlookers would be forgiven for mistaking them for a Benitez team. The Spaniard has built a reputation as a tactical mastermind, particularly in Europe, and Dnipro had the shape of a side that he might be proud to have fielded in years gone by.
The Ukrainian’s approach was admirable. Certainly, more so than it had been in Naples seven days prior.
That night, ultimately, determined the tie. Napoli, eager to kill the contest in the first leg, dominated, firing in 19 attempts on goal. Their desire to strike had however, yielded just a solitary David Lopez effort, when Yevhen Seleznyov struck a decisive blow with nine minutes remaining.
The forward, whose determination and relentless work ethic, plus a slight tug of Miguel Britos’ shirt, would help him net Dnipro’s winner in Kyiv, was somehow allowed to fire in despite being clearly offside.
That incident changed the contest. Even a one goal lead would have allowed Napoli to restrain and counter in the second leg. Given how effective they were away at Wolfsburg in the quarter-final, they would be well positioned to progress.
Seleznyov’s offside goal had left Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis raging about Michel Platini, referees, conspiracies and more.
He knows the value of reaching the Champions League and perhaps the fear of missing out drove his frustration.
Injustice had hampered Napoli, but as the Dnipro fans poured onto the pitch on Thursday, the overriding sensation was that they could have done more.
Some may question Benitez’s decision to start Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik on the bench. The duo gave more impetus when introduced.
There had been discontent with Benitez’ selection for the weekend draw at Parma – a game that mirrored many frustrating aspects of Thursday’s showing and Napoli’s season.
The Partenopei do not look like a Benitez team. Rather than calculated and organised down to the finest detail, they can be frantic and desperate.
A squad, that on paper reads impressively, has problems. A lack of a competent goalkeeper has hindered, while it’s still unclear who is best to partner Raul Albiol.
In deep midfield, there are a number of options, but none of which are outstanding. Up front, Gonzalo Higuain constantly paints a frustrated figure.
These are issues that must be addressed in the summer. For now, Benitez has to regroup and push for the top three in Serie A. With three points to make up and Lazio and Juventus to play, it wont be easy.
Beyond that, deciding Benitez’s future is De Laurentiis’ biggest conundrum. Two years on from his arrival, the Spaniard has built a team that can dominate and frustrate in equal measure. His CV suggests he can work it out, but a wet Thursday night in Kyiv may have tipped the balance against an extended stay.
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