Real Madrid vs Napoli, the UEFA Champions League clash between the defending champions and the in-form European team was nothing short of ‘fight among Gladiators’, in the first half though, Real Madrid managed to continue their winning streak at Santiago Bernabeu rather exceptionally.
Both teams were fresh with a victory in their last game and Cristiano Ronaldo just came in after an ankle injury while Gareth Bale was on the bench for this Champions League tie. Despite their record 20th appearance in the league’s knock-out stages and an unparalleled record against Napoli, the Italians entered as favorites.
Rightly so, the visitors took the lead in less than 8 minutes into the game via a piece of brilliance from Insigne on the break when the Italy forward raced through on a Marek Hamsik’s pass and curled a first-time strike from an astonishing 35 yards that went past the low-life dive of the out-of-position Navas, straight into the right-hand corner.
Napoli were looking confident from there on but their calm composure got the better of them in the 18th minute as their sleeping defence allowed Benzema to equalise with a header. The game resumed with a fanatic pace as both teams were trying for their second before the second half, especially, Karim Benzema. His assists and head-on strikes left the opposition’s defence baffled, however, Napoli somehow managed to stall the tally.
Four minutes into the second half, Madrid’s attack bore fruit when Ronaldo took the driving seat and skipped his way brilliantly beyond Kalidou Koulibaly from the right, and shot a measured pass back to the edge towards the arriving Kross, who in turn, swept the ball in Reina’s nets at the bottom-left corner, giving Real Madrid the first ever lead of the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo has now registered 16 assists in the Champions League since 2012/13; more than any other player. pic.twitter.com/JfqwTZZ0w4
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 15, 2017
Real Madrid vs Napoli then became Napoli vs Napoli, as the visitors were seen struggling to form a firm defensive stand and Real Madrid sensed the chance and went for the kill, just five minutes later. The ball was prodded away from James at the edge of box and sat up nicely for Casemiro. Brazilian midfielder, in a spectacular and unlikely fashion, dips home a scandalous half volley, giving Reina absolutely no hope of saving the nets.
#CASEMIRO BEAUTIFUL VOLLEY Video
Real Madrid 3 – 1 Napoli #HalaMadrid #RMUCL #RealNapoli pic.twitter.com/Uh2zlBF5by— Real Madrid Fan (@RealMadridFanEN) February 15, 2017
That was it, Napoli tried everything for a comeback and even got multiple chances to save themselves from ultimate humiliation, but they were never able to finish it with perfection, letting Real Madrid claim a 3-1 victory and a 2 goal aggregate lead for the second leg of the knockout stages, which could really prove instrumental for the defending champions.
Here is what Twitterati has to say about the Real Madrid vs Napoli 3-1 game.
Diego Maradona was giving a pep talk in the Napoli dressing room before kick off in Madrid this evening pic.twitter.com/LLN9FR4Sbf
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) February 15, 2017
Kalidou Koulibaly Champions League version.. 😶 (thanks @annatrieste)#memecronaca #RealMadridNapoli #RealNapoli #UCL #RMANAP #RMAvsNAP #FNS pic.twitter.com/zP1xNzXfz5
— Lele Angeli (@LeleAngeli) February 15, 2017
Napoli after match !#rmanap pic.twitter.com/lqbiULLk8Y
— Marko Arsic Maxi (@MaxiRealMadrid3) February 15, 2017
#Kroos – The Sniper with his signature goal. #Kroos control.#HalaMadrid #UCL #RMANAP
— marb (@TheAsadRaza) February 15, 2017
Real Madrid has turned into Manchester United after the third goal. So many chances to score wasted. #rmanap
— Ræhan (@RehanTCh) February 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/DavidPurcell96/status/831975736982528002
Mertens, must have got infected by Benzema! Awful finishing effort there, just like Benz 4-5 times already. #rmanap pic.twitter.com/MMhQQBQhGo
— aFootball.net (@afootballnet) February 15, 2017
The goals tonight…. #RMANAP #BAYARS pic.twitter.com/93VTrvfMUr
— Jake Dance (@JakeDance91) February 15, 2017
Best one I heard. Carvajal must've been a Civil Engineer coz his cross has bending moment and shear force.#RMANAP
— Chaitanya Inampudi (@chaitu585) February 15, 2017
Cristiano Ronaldo is the player with the most assists in Champions League history. Selfish.
— ⚡ (@isaacgbenga7) February 15, 2017
Ronaldo showed Napoli flames tonight #ChampionsLeague #HalaMadrid
— Bhele Ⓜ (@Bhele_Dlambulo) February 15, 2017
They're behind in the league and are on the verge of being knocked out of the UCL so they attack Ronaldo to distract us from their failures pic.twitter.com/Ls6U2Nqype
— Lesilo Rula (@kay_mahapa) February 15, 2017
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