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Slovan Bratislava
Europa League | Group Stage
Oct 2, 2014 at 6pm UK
 
Napoli logo

0-2

FT(HT: 0-1)
Hamsik (35'), Higuain (74')

Napoli prove too strong for Slovan Bratislava

Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain score either side of half time to fire Napoli to a 2-0 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League.

Napoli have put their inconsistent domestic form behind them to see off Slovan Bratislava 2-0 in the Europa League this evening.

The visitors managed to find their passing rhythm early on, although it took until the 20th minute before Dusan Pernis was truly called into action, being forced to keep out Jonathan de Guzman's low drive.

Napoli's captain Marek Hamsik celebrates his opening goal during the UEFA Europa League group I football match between SK Slovan Bratislava v SSC Napoli on October 2, 2014© Getty Images

Duvan Zapata was the next Paretonpei player to come close to making the breakthrough, only for his effort to be kept out thanks to a fine defensive block inside the box.

Napoli, who are currently in eighth place in the Serie A table following a slow start to the season, continued to pile on the pressure with Marek Hamsik firing away a strike which Pernis once more kept out.

The opening goal did come before the interval, though, and it was Hamsik who found it against his former club when he headed home Kalidou Koulibaly's clipped ball into the box.

Dries Mertens skipped past a number of Bratislava players before getting away a shot on the hour as Rafael Benitez's side continued to probe away, and the Belgium international came within inches of finding a way through, only for the ball to ricochet away off the crossbar.

Fifteen minutes from time Gonzalo Higuain jumped highest to extend his team's lead, steering Hamsik's well-placed cross into the box beyond the reach of Pernis.

The hosts created chances of their own late on through Marko Milinkovic, although the substitute failed to test Rafael with either of his two opportunities at the Pasienky.

Napoli managed to hold out for all three points to keep intact their winning start to Group I, while the Young Boys remain bottom following their second successive defeat.

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Napoli's captain Marek Hamsik celebrates his opening goal during the UEFA Europa League group I football match between SK Slovan Bratislava v SSC Napoli on October 2, 2014
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