Granada Hit Napoli Two Goals Without Reply

Granada midfielder Yangel Herrera (L) celebrates his goal against Napoli (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Granada hit the visitors' team Napoli 2-0 in the first leg of the Europa League last 32 at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, Granada, on Friday morning WIB.

Angel Herrera's goal in the 19th minute gave the Spanish side the lead, before Kenedy doubled their lead with a goal in the 21st minute.

The two teams will meet again in the second leg which will take place on Thursday next week.

⏱️ 85 '| 🔴⚪2⃣-0⃣🔵⚪📷 Esperar y buscar portería rivals. #GranadaNapoli #UEL pic.twitter.com/zwBGYcxVaC

- Granada CF ❤️⚪️ (@GranadaCdeF) February 18, 2021

Launching Antara, Napoli had threatened first with Eljif Elmas' volley, but Granada caused a lot of problems on the right side with Kenedy and Dimitri Foulquier several times infiltrating the penalty box.

After a series of corner kicks, the hosts took the lead when Kenedy curled in to a Herrera header for a goal.

The 1-0 lead lasted only two minutes. From a counter-attack scheme, Darwin Machis offered a pass to Kenedy who converted it into a goal with an accurate kick.

Lorenzo Insigne looked out of shape, while Osimhen wasted a good chance when he chose to force a shot rather than pass to his team-mates.

⏱️ 57 '| 🔴⚪2⃣-0⃣🔵⚪📷 Orden y defensa rojiblanca. # GranadaNapoli #UEL pic.twitter.com/8ZaFqTKS3X

- Granada CF ❤️⚪️ (@GranadaCdeF) February 18, 2021

Napoli's game improved slightly with Piotr Zielinski's entry in the second half. The Poland international fired a shot high, and Osimhen failed to receive a Fabian Ruiz ball.

The Partenopei took the initiative to play, but their communication was lacking, such as when Amir Rrahmani failed to maximize the free-kick ball instead of passing to Osimhen.

Osimhen's volley from a free kick was overcome by goalkeeper Rui Silva.

Despite dominating possession, Napoli had the chance to concede the third when Alex Meret tipped off Angel Herrera's shot.

🔴⚪️ Granada in dreamland against Napoli, as Yangel Herrera & Kenedy put the Spanish side 2-0 up! Their magical European adventure continues 💫 # UEL pic.twitter.com/QTL8AIN3E3

- UEFA Europa League (@EuropaLeague) February 18, 2021

The composition of players:

Granada (4-2-3-1): Rui Silva, Dimitri Foulquier, Domingos Duarte, Jesus Vallejo (German Sanchez 22 '), Carlos Neva (Victor Diaz 78'), Yangel Herrera, Maxime Gonalons (Yan Brice Eteki 78 ') , Darwin Machis (Antonio Puertas 70 '), Angel Montoro, Kenedy (Alberto Soro 70'), Jorge Molina

Napoli (4-2-3-1): Alex Meret, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Amir Rrahmani, Nikola Maksimovic, Mario Rui, Stanislav Lobotka (Tiemoue Bakayoko 64 '), Eljif Elmas, Matteo Politano (Piotr Zielinski 46'), Lorenzo Insigne , Fabian, Victor Osimhen