Granada hold firm to progress through to the round of 16 in the Europa League
A first leg victory over Napoli by the score of 2-0 handed Granada a perfect platform to head to Italy and defend, and defend is just what they did with the Spanish side standing firm to progress through to the round of 16 despite a 2-1 defeat on the night.
The objective for Napoli was clear, they needed to win 2-0 to ensure extra-time or 3-0 to secure the victory outright.
They started sensationally with Piotr Zielinski firing the hosts ahead after three minutes, but then everything fell flat for Napoli.
Granada’s defensive wall couldn’t be breached, and the tie was thrown into the air when Angel Montoro scored for the visitors in the 25th minute of a play.
It was a goal which frustrated Napoli but it buoyed the hosts, and kickstarted Granada’s rear-guard action, turning to time-wasting and strong defensive organisation to hold out and secure a famous triumph.
It was a Spaniard who did give Napoli a second goal though, with Fabian Ruiz finding the net just before the hour mark, however the Italians still needed a further two goals, such was the importance of Montoro’s away goal.
Napoli will look back on this tie with regret, not because they didn’t do enough in terms of creativity, but the fact they didn’t make the most of the chances they did make.
Of the 17 shots Gennaro Gattuso’s charges registered on the night, only five of them were on target, and it was actually Granada’s ability to be clinical that helped them through.
