Napoli sealed their passage into the Champions League knockout stages with a dominant display, clinching a 2-0 victory over Sporting Braga on Tuesday, thanks to two first-half goals that secured their spot in the next phase.
The Italian side, vying for a top spot, finished second in Group C, trailing behind Real Madrid by eight points, amassing a commendable 10 points. Meanwhile, Braga secured third place, ensuring their Europa League berth with four points, as Union Berlin concluded at the bottom of the table with two points after losing 3-2 to Real Madrid. Follow your favourite Champions League team with attractive football betting odds from Nextbet.
Reflecting on their achievement, Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo expressed satisfaction, stating, “Passing the group was our goal, we deserved to qualify and that’s good. There is a lot of work to do, to improve in some aspects, but we are playing good games, with good performances and this gives us hope for the new year.”
Napoli’s dominance was evident early in the match, with Matteo Politano’s cross finding the net via Serdar Saatci’s unfortunate own goal in the ninth minute, granting the Italian side an early advantage. Victor Osimhen further bolstered their lead in the 33rd minute, sealing their qualification with a clever backheel and a subsequent tap-in.
Although Braga sought opportunities, including Andre Horta’s long-range effort saved by keeper Alex Meret, Napoli’s resilience and Meret’s crucial saves denied their opponents any breakthrough.
The second half witnessed Napoli’s manager Walter Mazzarri strategically substituting Osimhen and Politano, ensuring their secure lead remained intact until the final whistle.
Post-match, Mazzarri emphasized the importance of defensive solidity and balance, seeking to fortify Napoli’s position as they gear up for the knockout phase. Napoli, a Serie A powerhouse, aims to build on their previous season’s performance, where they reached the quarterfinals before bowing out to AC Milan.
With their eyes set on Champions League glory, Napoli’s convincing victory over Braga signals their determination and aspiration to replicate or exceed their previous campaign’s success in the elite European competition. Get the latest updates from the Champions League only on Nextbet Sports.
