Napoli and Dynamo Moscow faced off in the first leg of their last-16 clash in the Europa League at the Stadio San Paolo.
Stanislav Cherchesov's side took the lead in the second minute of the game through Kevin Kuranyi, but Napoli battled back to take a 2-1 lead into the break as Gonzalo Higuain netted a brace.
Two minutes into the second half Dynamo were reduced to 10 men when Roman Zobnin was sent off, and Rafael Benitez's men took full advantage as Higuian netted his hat-trick to put his side in command of the tie going into the second leg next week.
Read how all the action unfolded in our commentary below.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Europa League clash between Napoli and Dynamo Moscow.
We should be line for an entertaining match this evening as both teams put in impressive performances to reach the last 16 of the competition. Rafael Benitez's men put in a dominant first-leg display to guide them past Trabzonspor as they recorded a 4-0 victory in Turkey before taking the second leg 1-0. Meanwhile, Moscow defeated Anderlehct 3-1 in the second leg of their encounter after they played out a goalless draw in the first leg, which helped them advance.
The Serie A side are one of five former winners of the competition still in the tournament at the last-16 stage. Napoli won the tournament when it was known as the Cup Winners Cup back in 1988-89 season. Dynamo have never won the competition, although they did reach the final in the 1972, where they were defeated by Rangers.
Both teams are coming into the match in good form. Napoli have lost just twice in their last 13 matches in all competitions, however, they did spurn a two-goal lead to Inter Milan in their last Serie A outing on Sunday, which cost them two points. Meanwhile, Stanislav Cherchesov's men are unbeaten in their last 16 matches in all competitions, a run which has lasted since November.
Dynamo are also unbeaten in their 12 European matches this season. Cherchesov's men made it through the group stage with six straight victories, making them an incredibly formidable unit in this competition.
Benitez has been linked with a move away from the Serie A side, much to the dismay of the club's supporters, the boss told reporters: "Every day, supporters tell me that I have to stay here because they've never seen Napoli playing such beautiful football."
Cherchesov has echoed the thoughts of Benitez ahead of the showdown, and the 51-year-old has admitted that he is relishing the occasion, he said: "Napoli are an excellent team with excellent players. This is a beautiful match to be involved in."
NAPOLI STARTING XI: Andujar, Britos, Henrique, Koulibaly, Ghoulam, De Guzman, Inler, Jorginho, Higuain, Mertens, Callejon
Subs: Rafael, Mesto, Hamsik, Zuniga, David Lopez, Albiol, Zapata
Subs: Rafael, Mesto, Hamsik, Zuniga, David Lopez, Albiol, Zapata
DYNAMO MOSCOW STARTING XI: Gabulov, Samba, Hubocan, Kozlov, Valbuena, Zhirkov, Vainqueur, Dzsudzak, Zobnin, Kuranyi, Kokorin
Subs: Shunin, Buttner, Douglas, Ionov, Rotenberg, Katrich, Tashaev
Subs: Shunin, Buttner, Douglas, Ionov, Rotenberg, Katrich, Tashaev
Benitez names an attacking lineup as Gonzalo Higuain leads the line supported by Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens from the flanks in an expected 4-3-3 formation, with Gokhan Inler, Jorginho and Jonathan De Guzman holding the central roles in the midfield in front of a flat back four. Moscow, meanwhile, have opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Kevin Kuranyi and Aleksandr Kokorin up front.
The players are out on the pitch so we should be underway shortly.
KICKOFF! We're underway in this Europa League clash.
CHANCE! Dynamo threaten immediately as Zhirkov raids forward unopposed and he unleashes a powerful left-footed strike towards the bottom corner that Andujat is forced to tip past the post.
GOAL! Napoli 0-1 Dynamo Moscow (Kuranyi)
What a start to the game for Dynamo as they take the lead from the corner as Kuranyi has the beating of Henrique in the six-yard box from Valbuena's cross and he powers the ball past Andujar with a thumping header.
Napoli look a bit shell shocked after the early goal and are forced to knock the ball around at the back to regain their composure. Benitez is out on the touchline giving instructions to his team, he surely didn't think they could concede this early into the tie.
CHANCE! Napoli carve out a great chance to get back on level terms as Higuain raids down the right and manages to lift the ball to the back post for Callejon. The forward meets the ball on the volley with his left foot, but his goalbound strike is cleared away by Samba.
It has been a good response from the home side to going behind as they have dominated possession since. Dynamo need to hang in tough against this reaction to maintain their advantage and find a way to break the spell of pressure.
Zhirkov does extremely well at the back for the visitors as he makes an excellent clearance at the back post with Callejon bearing down behind him as Mertens lifted a dangerous delivery into the box, which results in a corner for the Serie A team.
SUBSTITUTION: Koulibaly is forced off for the home side as he falls to ground after tussle with Kuranyi, and will be replaced in the back four by Raul Albiol.
The tempo of the game has dropped off slightly since the substitution. It appears to have given Dynamo that bit of respite to recover their composure and get themselves back into the rhythm of the match.
CHANCE! A long ball is pumped forward for Kokorin, who does well to fend off Albiol to head into the path of Kuranyi who powers an effort towards goal, but his strike on the half-volley goes wide of the post. Half chance for the striker as he had time and space outside of the penalty area.
Mertens is played in down the left flank and he has options to hit in the penalty area. The Belgian drives the ball low across the face of goal, but Zhirkov is the first player to get to the ball and once again he manages to avert the danger by clearing it away.
CHANCE! Moscow win a corner down the left and once again Kuranyi causes problems in the box as he beats his man to the ball from Dzsudzak's delivery, but his header goes just over the crossbar.
Napoli work the ball through the feet of Mertens and on this occasion the winger decides to cut in on his right foot and space opens up for a shot at goal. The Belgian gets good contact on his strike, but not good enough to beat Gabulov, who is able to make the save.
GOAL! Napoli 1-1 Dynamo Moscow (Higuain)
Napoli get back on level terms and they deserve their goal for their exploits since falling behind in the second minute. Ghoulam speeds down the left wing and lifts a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box, which allows Higuain to get a half yard on his man to divert the ball into the far corner beyond the reach of Gabulov.
Samba makes a vital block for the visitors to keep them scores level as Mertens almost found the run of Higuain in the box, but the defender read the delivery and was able to make the vital interception. Higuain looks hungry for goals this evening and Napoli are starting to click into gear.
PENALTY TO NAPOLI!
Napoli earn a chance to take the lead as Mertens raids into the box and he is brought down in the area by a poor challenge from Valbuena, forcing the referee to point to the spot. Higuain will take the spot kick with a chance to net his second of the game.
GOAL! Napoli 2-1 Dynamo Moscow (Higuain pen.)
Higuain nets his second goal of the game as blasts the ball down the middle of the goal to hand his side the lead in the tie. What an excellent response this has been from Napoli after falling behind in the second minute of the match.
Dynamo have responded themselves to going behind as they have immediately raided back upfield and earned a free kick on the edge of the box after Kokorin was fouled by Inler.
CHANCE! Valbuena powers his effort over the wall and has Andujar scrambling across his line, but the ball goes just over the bar. A decent hit by the Frenchman.
The visitors seem to be using the counter to muster a comeback into the game. As soon as Napoli commit men forward in numbers there is a concerted effort from Dynamo to win the ball quickly and break, something to monitor in how both teams approach their tactics throughout the rest of the match.
Dzsudzsak becomes the third player from Dynamo to enter the book as he chops down Callejon as he tries to break on the counter. Three cautions is a lot for the opening 40 minutes, so the players will have to be very careful in their remaining time on the pitch.
Napoli seem quite content to sit on their lead until the break as they have calmed the tempo that saw them take the lead in the match. They're organised in defence and seem to understand the importance of maintaining their narrow advantage.
There will be one minute of added time.
HALF-TIME: Napoli 2-1 Dynamo Moscow
Napoli take a 2-1 lead into the break as a brace from Gonzalo Higuain helped them rally after going behind in the second minute of the match to a headed goal from Kevin Kuranyi. Dynamo couldn't have asked for a better start as the German striker powered home from close range, but they couldn't maintain the level of their display as the home side upped the ante to hit back.
As displeased as Benitez will be with his side's start to the match, he will be elated with how they responded. Napoli carved out chance after chance before Higuian found the bottom corner from Faouzi Ghoulam's cross. Meanwhile, Dries Mertens gave the visitors all sorts of problems before earning the free kick that the Argentine was able to fire home to give them the half-time lead.
Cherchesov will not be too dissatisfied with his team's performance either. They scored a crucial away goal and have had a couple of close calls with Kuranyi and Valbuena missing the target narrowly, and the visitors have also looked lively on the break. Defensively they will need to tighten up in the second half, but if the scoreline remains the same going into the second leg then Cherchesov may feel the more confident of the two managers.
The players are back out on the pitch and we should be underway shortly.
We're back underway in this Europa League clash.
RED CARD! Remember the post about some of the Dynamo players having to be careful. Well, Zobnin obviously wasn't paying attention as he has been dismissed for a second bookable offence for a reckless tackle on Ghoulam. The Dynamo players aren't happy, but that appears to be a justified dismissal.
The red card is a real game changer in terms of the tie now. Napoli can afford to commit men forward in numbers as Dynamo will just be looking to take this scoreline back to Moscow. The next 40 minutes could dictate who will advance to the last eight of the competition.
Napoli do commit men forward and one of those deep-lying midfielders De Guzman advances to the edge of the box where he receives the ball in space. The Dutchman drives an effort at goal, but he can only fire his shot straight into the arms of Gabulov.
GOAL! Napoli 3-1 Dynamo Moscow (Higuain)
A huge goal from Napoli as they net their third goal of the evening as Higuain scores his hat-trick as he rifles an effort on the half volley into the bottom corner. Mertens had tried to register a strike at goal, which was blocked, but only into the path of the Argentine who fired home from six yards. Benitez's men now have control of the tie and can put themselves in a dominant position with further strikes this evening.
STAT ATTACK! The hat-trick from Higuain is his first in a European competition, and what a good time to get it for the Serie A side.
De Guzman has pushed right upfield ahead of Inler and Jorginho to support the attacking trio. The midfielder releases the run of Mertens down the left flank who tries to beat Gabulov for power at his near post, but the keeper is able to beat the ball away.
CHANCE! Napoli should have their fourth goal as Higuain collects the ball down the left and looks for options to hit in the middle. He powers a cross to the back post where the ball beats the head of Hubocan and falls to Callejon, but the forward can only guide his free header past the post. A shocking miss from Callejon.
Benitez's men continue to control the game and they play the ball around on the edge of the Dynamo area before Higuain goes down in a heap in the box. The Argentine wants a penalty, but the referee waves away his appeals which looks to be the correct decision.
CHANCE! The home side win a free kick and take the set piece quickly as Mertens passes the ball to an unmarked Higuain on the edge of the area. The striker tries to arc his strike towards the top corner, but it goes past the post, while Gabulov appeared to have his angles covered anyway.
SUBSTITUTION: Benitez decides to change things up as De Guzman makes way for Hamsik.
The tempo of the game has dropped off slightly in the past 10 minutes or so, which is surprising as Benitez's men have an excellent chance to put the tie beyond the reach of Dynamo with another goal. The introduction of Hamsik may spark a bit more life into their play in the attacking third.
SUBSTITUTION: A change for the visitors as Valbuena is replaced by Ionov.
Kokorin gets in behind the Napoli defence and tries to break into the box with little support. The striker looks to drag the ball back, but Henrique comes in from the side to win the ball with an inch-perfect tackle. Great defending from the Brazilian.
Napoli hit back with an opportunity of their own as Mertens spins away from Kozlov and Samba is forced across to make a tackle, which forces him to concede a foul on the edge of the box.
Mertens tries to be too clever with the free kick as he attempts to feed the run of Hamsik across the box, but the visitors manage to snuff out the danger despite a dangerous ricochet inside the penalty area. Disappointing from the Belgian as the set piece was a real chance to threaten.
SUBSTITUTION: Zuniga replaces Callejon for the home side.
CHANCE! Mertens almost gets on the scoresheet as he and Hamsik exchange passes in a neat one-two inside the box. The ball comes back to the Belgian at an awkward angle, meaning he can't wrap his foot around the ball, which prevents the strike from finding the bottom corner.
Jorginho concedes a free kick in a dangerous position, which will allow Dzsudzsak to line up a strike from 30 yards. A goal now would be huge for the visitors.
Dzsudzsak launches a strike towards goal which has the power, but not the direction as Andujar can safely watch the ball sail past his post.
Napoli seem content to sit on their lead and take their two-goal advantage into the second leg in Moscow next week, which would be the smart decision, but another goal could seal the tie tonight.
There will be two minutes of added time.
Zuniga collects the ball inside the penalty area and tries to carve out space for a strike, but Hubocan and Zhirkov do enough to prevent the strike as the players go to ground to win the ball.
FULL-TIME: Napoli 3-1 Dynamo Moscow
A hat-trick from Gonzalo Higuain has handed Napoli a comeback win over Dynamo Moscow this evening, ensuring Rafael Benitez's men take a two-goal lead into the second leg of the last-16 Europa League clash in Moscow next week.
Kevin Kuranyi had given Stanislav Cherchesov's side the perfect start to the game as he opened the scoring in the second minute, but Higuain scored twice in the first half and once in the second to hand his team control of the tie. Matters became more difficult for Dynamo when Roman Zobnin was sent off in the first minute of the second half, which prevented any hope of taking a positive result from the first leg, leaving them with an uphill task to reach the quarter-finals of the competition.
Thanks for joining our commentary this evening. Be sure to stick with Sports Mole for our continued coverage of the Europa League as reaction filters in from across the grounds tonight. But from me, it's goodbye.
Written by
Simon Sinclair
Simon Sinclair
