Napoli comfortably qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League with a straight forward 1-0 second-leg victory over Trabzonspor at the San Paolo.
Jonathan De Guzman was on hand to steer in after Hakan Arikan had initially saved well from Jose Callejon to see Rafa Benitez’s men win the tie 5-0 on aggregate.
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Napoli
Rafael – 6 – Spectator
Almost nothing to do for the Napoli keeper as he watched on in relative comfort. Did have one flap at a free-kick with 20 minutes to go but the referee’s whistle had gone for a foul already. A deck chair would have been handy.
Henrique – 7 – Walk in the Park
A few set pieces for Trabzonspor was about as much as Henrique and centre-back partner Britos had to deal with, and did so with minimum fuss. Can certainly expect a tougher examination at Torino on Sunday.
Miguel Britos – 7 – Picnic
Stood firm alongside his Brazilian partner and was able to see through the match in relative calm as Napoli claimed a third straight clean sheet in all competitions.
Faouzi Ghoulam – 6 – Still Standing
Took a sore one from a challenge with Ekici but the Algerian international breezed through the game otherwise.
Giandomenico Mesto – 6 – Roaming
Had free rein down the right flank and linked well with Callejon, even if his delivery could have been better. Not a great deal to concern him defensively.
Jorginho – 6.5 – Rottweiler
Even with the prospect of an easy match, the Brazilian was snapping at the heels of the Trabzonspor players and refused to give them a minutes rest on the rare occasions the Turks found themselves in possession.
Gokhan Inler – 6.5 – Stroll
Plenty of time and space to run the game comfortably. Spreading the play and dictating the tempo. With the result already beyond the visitors before De Guzman’s goal, the Swiss captain was never in a rush.
Dries Mertens – 6 – Nifty
Nipping and quick as usual while the Belgian will maybe feel he could have added to the Partenopei’s solitary goal.
Jonathan De Guzman – 7.5 – Nuisance
Failed to find the net in the first leg but made up for that inside 20 minutes on a lightning quick counter attack. The Dutchman took advantage after Hakan Arikan had initially saved well from Callejon. A pest to the Turks until taking his place on the bench after 70 minutes.
Jose Callejon – 7.5 – Thron
The Spaniard made every effort to add his name to the score sheet but couldn’t grab a first European goal since a 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League over two years ago. However, was impressive enough in his movement and footwork to trouble the Turks and be confident ahead of Sunday’s clash with Torino.
Gonzalo Higuain – 5 – Disillusioned
Scored in the first meeting between the sides but was unable to grab his 20th competitive goal of the season. Became disillusioned in a match expected to be another goal fest for Napoli. Went off with just under half an hour remaining.
Substitutes
Daniel Zapata – 4 – Strong
Colombian showed his strength but not the quality needed to make his cameo raise any heads.
Manolo Gabbiadini – 5 – No Impact
Four goals in his last six competitive outings but the Italian wasn’t able to add to that run with his cameo after replacing De Guzman with 20 minutes left.
Marek Hamsik – 3 – Run Out
Just over 10 minutes for a jog to keep him ticking over for the weekend’s trip to Turin.
Trabzonspor
Hakan Arikan – 7 – Solid Moaner
Unenviable task after the first leg but the goalkeeper stood up better to the test posed inside the San Paolo. May have still conceded but had better protection this time around. The referee will be glad the tie is over after booking the 32-year-old and trying to convince him to keep his opinions to himself instead of the officials.
Aykut Demir – 7 – Relief
Would have been delighted to be part of a vastly improved team performance as the Dutch-born Turkish international helped keep the damage to a minimum.
Jose Bosingwa – 7 – Improved
After a disastrous first-leg showing, the Portuguese defender showed some glimpses of the player Chelsea thought they were buying in 2008. Now lining up as a centre back, contributed to a much more disciplined performance.
Salih Dursun – 5 – Penned In
Found it difficult to get out of his own half with Ghoulam and Mertens patrolling the right flank. Happy though to be part of a defence that only shipped the one goal after the four in the first meeting.
Ishak Dogan – 5 – Challenge
The left full back had Mesto and Callejon to contend with and struggled to keep tabs particularly on the speedy Spaniard.
Fatih Atik – 5.5 – Solid
Thought he had an equaliser just before half-time only for the goal to be, correctly, ruled off for off-side. More solid than in the previous match.
Carl Medjani – 6 – Strong
Along with Atik, providing a shield for the back-four and was successful at times in steaming the Italian’s attacks.
Ozer Hurmaci – 5 – Frustrated
Picked a booking for a cynical foul on Inler and summed up a frustrating night. Overall, like the rest of his teammates, a huge improvement but sadly out of the Europa League without much resistance.
Mehmet Ekici – 7 – Creative
Trabzonspor’s top performer. The Turkish international created his side’s best opportunities but the former Werder Bremen midfielder was unable to help provide a consolation goal. Fired a wicked free kick just wide in the final ten minutes.
Erkan Zengin – 6 – Positive
Tried to help Trabzonspor cause Napoli headaches and certainly they managed that. However, they never looked likely to force a consolation but Zengin and co did put up a much improved showing at both ends – which likely says more about the first leg than this match.
Oscar Cardozo – 5.5 – Isolated
The Paraguayan is no stranger to European nights but was unable to make an impression against a comfortable Napoli defence. Tried his best to be the focal point and hold the ball up for his team but was often isolated. Did claim for a penalty early second half but the referee, rightly, wasn’t willing to indulge the former Benfica frontman.
Substitutes
Aydogdu – 3 – On?
Came into the fray with 13 minutes left…last anyone saw of him in a forgettable cameo.
Sefa Yilmaz – N/A
Zeki Yavru – N/A
