AZ Alkmaar 1 – 1 Napoli
David Ospina, Napoli goalkeeper, had an impressive match between the sticks and was hugely responsible for giving Napoli a point in Thursday’s UEFA Europa League tie against AZ at the AFAS Stadion.
Although, credit must also go to AZ for earning a point from a match that looked beyond their reach at the break. They showed admirable character to take the game to the visitors, and with a little more composure in their finishing they could conceivably have won. Napoli will be the happier as the result leaves them in pole position with one game remaining in Group F.
Napoli had plenty of chances to win it, though it was the AZ captain Teun Koopmeiners who spurned the best chance, seeing his penalty saved by Ospina. Dries Mertens’ early strike put the visitors on their way but Bruno Martins-Indi touched home from close range to ensure a share of the points.
Napoli remain top of the group with 10 points while the joint second clubs of Real Sociedad and AZ are on eight points each. Rijeka is bottom on a single point.
Real Sociedad 2 – 2 Rijeka
The hosts had to come from going behind twice to end the game sharing the points as Sociedad hosted Rijeka in Thursday’s second Group F UEFA Europa League match at the Reale Arena in Spain.
Darko Velkovski and Stjepan Loncar were the goalscorers for the visitors while Jon Bautista and the impressive Nacho Monreal equalised.
The last game will be crucial for the top three teams. Napoli face Sociedad and AZ will travel to contend with the already knocked out but still competitive Rijeka.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
