Half-Time Report: Napoli in cruise control at Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg are 2-0 down against Napoli at the break in this evening's Europa League quarter-final first leg at the Volkswagen Arena.

© Getty Images

The hosts were quickest off the starting blocks and dominated proceedings in the early stages as Luiz Gustavo and Kevin De Bruyne weighed in with half-chances.

Before long, however, Napoli got into gear and drew first blood on the quarter-hour mark when a quick break allowed Dries Mertens to flash a diagonal ball into the box, where Gonzalo Higuain chested down and powered home.

The Partenopei then doubled their lead in the 23rd minute courtesy of a masterful goal which saw Higuain power down the channel before curling a low ball for Marek Hamsik who, without breaking stride, lashed into the bottom right corner from the edge of the area.

Napoli took complete control of the game for a while after their goal, but Wolfsburg ended the half strongly as Andre Schurrle forced a fine fingertip save from Mariano Andujar on the stroke of half time.