Napoli is in the quarter-finals, but what an ugly defeat. Luckily we started from the 3-0 of the first leg, because the evening could have had embarrassing implications, just like the performance of the team. He lost, Napoli, and was the sixth time this season. Merit of a Salzburg that struggled without ever giving up and eventually prevailed. It was not a nice Naples, as it had already happened in Reggio Emilia, Sunday evening. Arek Milik's goal at the start of the game could have turned the opponent off: at that point he would have had to score five to qualify, the Salzburg, and it would have taken something more than a historic feat. In spite of everything, the Austrians played it all the way, scoring three goals with Dabbur, Gulbrandsen and Leotgeb, closing their Europa League adventure with a victory.

OUT INSIGNE - Unlike what was reported by the official formations, Lorenzo Insigne is not in the field. In its place will play Dries Mertens. There has been no rethinking on the part of Carlo Ancelotti: the captain remains outside due to muscular resentment accused during the warm-up phase. Little or nothing changes in the scheme in any way. Napoli must do without Koulibaly and Maksimovic, the two central holders, out of suspension. In their place are Chiriches and Luperto, an unpublished couple.

IN ADVANTAGE - Ancelotti asks Allan for greater participation in the offensive phase, to ensure better coverage. And in fact, in the first phase of the race, Salzburg is never dangerous and it is Napoli that controls the game. There is a need to close this practice quickly, also because there is the 3-0 of the first leg that allows you to play without worries. In short, a goal would be enough to remove any kind of concern. And Napoli finds him at the 14th minute, when on a Mario Rui cross, the Austrian defense messes up and the rebound favors Arek Milik's half-turn for the Neapolitan advantage. All settled, therefore, and nothing bodes well for a return of the Salzburg which, meanwhile, continues to attack with its head down, but does not find the conclusion. And then, we think Allan, with an error in exit, to favor the draw of Dabbur (25 '). An unexpected naivety, which restores the courage to the opponents, but it is still the Naples to touch the doubling with a great shot from distance by Fabian Ruiz (29 '): the ball nocks the post and returns to the field. The time ends with a Minamino right-foot from outside the area that signs the post.

ASSIGNMENT - Another Naples is that of recovery. Allan is tired, he is not on his legs, while Fabian Ruiz has some difficulty in finding the spaces necessary for some insertion. The Salzburg begins to press and Ancelotti's line-up moves back to its own penalty area. In terms of commitment, the Austrians are commendable, but it is from the technical point of view that they leave something to be desired, they build in a disorderly manner and reach the often inaccurate conclusion. However, the newcomer, Gulbrandsen, did not make a mistake on the 20 'and threw himself on Ulmer's cross to take his advantage. This Naples is not a pretty sight. The performance of Reggio Emilia had already hinted something, he had highlighted a tired and not very clear team. The Salzburg has little chance of passing the round, but wants to win, and well. Then Meret must fend off a great Minamino shot (30 ') in the corner and two minutes later Chiriches is forced to leave the field due to muscular resentment. The Neapolitan goalkeeper, however, can do nothing at 47 'on the blow of Lietgeb which determines the 3-1 final.