HT: Mertens pierces AZ Alkmaar

Dries Mertens has given Napoli the half-time lead away to AZ Alkmaar, as Europa League Round of 32 qualification is close.

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The Partenopei had lost the opener at home to AZ, but since recovered to lead the group, so a win would guarantee qualification for the Round of 32. Victor Osimhen was still out injured, but confidence was high after crushing Roma 4-0 at the weekend in Serie A.

It was a lightning start from both teams, as Albert Gudmundsson had a shot on goal within 10 seconds, but Napoli made their stick with a Giovanni Di Lorenzo cross from the right turned in by Dries Mertens from seven yards, springing the offside trap.

David Ospina had to get down for a great save to push Zakaria Aboukhlal’s daisy-cutter onto the upright on 21 minutes.

Di Lorenzo flicked a corner on just beyond Mertens, but Napoli held out well under pressure.

AZ Alkmaar 0-1 Napoli (Half-Time)

Mertens 6 (N)

AZ Alkmaar: Bizot; Sugawara, Hatzidiakos, Martins Indi, Wijndal; Midtsjo, Koopmeiners; De Wit; Stengs, Gudmundsson, Aboukhlal

Napoli: Ospina; Di Lorenzo, Maksimovic, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Fabian Ruiz, Bakayoko, Zielinski; Politano, Mertens, Insigne

Ref: Buquet (FRA)