Europa League: Lazio and Napoli secure qualification

Edinson Cavani’s 93rd minute penalty sealed ten-man Napoli’s qualification for the knock-out stages, with a 2 – 1 victory at AIK.

Earlier, Lazio also secured qualification with a game to spare after a 0 – 0 draw against Tottenham Hotspur. Panathinaikos’ 1 – 0 victory at home to Maribor leaves Lazio are four points clear of the Greek side, who are third, with one round to play.

Lazio 0 – 0 Tottenham Hotspur

A mixture of wasteful finishing from forward Libor Kozak and some inspired goalkeeping by Spurs stopper Hugo Lloris meant for a frustrating night for Lazio. Kozak had as many five good openings, with Lloris denying him on various occasions, as well as making an outstanding block from close range to keep out Michael Ciani’s late header. Nevertheless, a point was enough for the Biancocelesti, who travel to Slovenia to face Maribor in two weeks with qualification secured.

Lazio controlled large spells of the contest, but it would be Tottenham who would have the first chance. Gareth Bale was set clear and rounded Federico Marchetti to score, only for the linesman to belatedly raise the flag for offside. Replays suggest the Welsh international had timed his run perfectly. He would go close again soon after, with an overhit cross forcing Marchetti to palm over.

Lazio went close when Cristian Ledesma’s speculative effort was tipped onto his own crossbar by a back-peddling Lloris. He was called into action again moments later, denying Kozak after Kyle Walker had misjudged a through-ball. Lloris would be out quickly to block the forward again before half-time.

Spurs began the second half the better, but the chances continued to fall to Lazio, and more specifically Kozak. He was able rob Sandro of the ball at the edge of the Spurs area, but his attempt to catch Lloris out with a shot at the near post was misguided and skewed wide.

Stefano Mauri was becoming more influential and he would be denied by Lloris, before delightfully flicking the ball onto Kozak, but the forwards finish was tame.

Lazio continued to push, with Sergio Floccari shooting wide in stoppage time, but they couldn’t find a breakthrough.

Napoli 2 – 1 AIK

Edinson Cavani continues to drag Napoli along, as he created one goal and scored another to give his side a crucial victory. It was his break down the left and low cross that was deflected out to Blerim Dzemaili for the first. on 20 minutes. The second was the last kick of the game, as he stroked home from spot, after being tripped by Niklas Backman.

Napoli’s chances of winning seemed to have evaporated after Salvatore Aronica’s dismissal with five minutes remaining. The veteran defender cynically pulled down AIK forward Mohamed Bangura, who was through on goal after latching onto Aronica’s initial mis-control.

It was Aronica who had given the home side their first chance of the night, as his mis-kick allowed Bangura in, but he shot into the side-netting. AIK would also hit the post on the cusp of half-time through a Nils-Eric Johansson header, but Bangura was adjudged to have fouled Napoli keeper Antonio Rosati in the build up.

With score level into the second half, Walter Mazzarri turned to his experienced bench, introducing first Gokhan Inler and then Juan Zuniga.

With the new arrivals, Napoli improved. A low ball into the area was spilt by Turina, who recovered well to block Eduardo Vargas’ effort and then claw the ball off the line.

Napoli attacked again, with Zuniga’s cross finding Cavani, whose volley was blocked, before the roles were reversed, with Zuniga shooting wide after been set free by the Uruguayan.

Napoli were on top, but the constant threat of Bangura was still present and he fired a speculative shot just over.

With Aronica dismissed, AIK pressed forward, searching for a winner that would delay their departure from the competition by another round. Martin Lorentson and Danielsson both had attempts, but it would be Cavani who had the final say.