Tuesday saw this season’s Champions League competition get underway, as Serbian club Red Star Belgrade faced Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli. In an intense atmosphere, Red Star made their first Champions League appearance since 1992, with the 1991 European Champions hoping to pull off an upset. Napoli entered as favourites with the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly, Piotr Zieliński and Lorenzo Insigne on display.
Napoli Held By a Resolute Red Star Belgrade
In a game which started slowly, Napoli dominated the first half. Controlling the game, Ancelotti’s team went in at half-time with 73% of the possession, having created eight chances on goal during the opening 45 minutes. Sitting deep, Red Star remained resolute, playing a rather defensive 4-1-4-1 formation. The first half saw Napoli struggle to break down an aggressive Red Star team. However, Napoli continued to push forward, creating chances and forcing Red Star deeper and deeper. After a second half which saw Red Star defend for their lives, Napoli struggled to penetrate an organized Belgrade defence. A result Ancelotti and his team will be frustrated with, Red Star held on for a 0-0 draw.
Offensive Struggles
The best team on the night, Napoli struggled to break down a resilient Red Star team. Controlling the game from start to finish, missed chances and a real lack of quality in the final third cost them in the end. Striker Arkadiusz Milik struggled to get into the game, tallying just two shots on target. Having 73% of the possession looks good on paper, but Napoli couldn’t find a breakthrough. Poor finishing in a must-win game won’t bode well with the Napoli fans, 1200 of which travelled to see such a disappointing performance.
The intense atmosphere in the Stadion Rajko Mitić played a key role, especially in the latter stages. Failing to overcome an organized and motivated Red Star group, Napoli and their lack of a true number nine will be disappointed with what was a winnable game.
Key Players and Group Outlook
Belgrade’s star man was goalkeeper Milan Borjan. Making seven key saves on the night, Borjan was a difference maker. Napoli was hardly clinical in front of goal, but Borjan made sure no half chances got past him. In what was a great result, Red Star fans can look to striker Richmond Boakye, who was the best striker on the pitch. Boayke showed great effort, holding the ball up for his teammates, helping to create counter-attacking opportunities. Belgrade can celebrate this draw as if it was a win, a real team effort.
In the group’s other fixture, Liverpool beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 at Anfield, a win which puts Jürgen Klopp’s team in control of Group C. This was a result which could cost Napoli a place in the competition, with Ancelotti’s team set to face Liverpool and PSG next. To put things simply, this was a terrible result for Napoli and a great one for Red Star. PSG now look to recover as they host Red Star and Liverpool travel to Naples in what should be another entertaining fixture.
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