MX23RW : Sunday, September 29 00:57:12| >> :120:54937:54937:
[monks data]
Napoli logo
Europa League | Quarter-Finals
Apr 23, 2015 at 8.05pm UK
 
Wolfsburg

2-2

Maria Callejon (50'), Mertens (65')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Klose (71'), Perisic (73')

Late Wolfsburg rally too little too late as Napoli soar into Europa League semi-finals

Napoli progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League despite being put to the sword against Wolfsburg in a 2-2 draw in their quarter-final second leg at the San Paolo.

Napoli have stormed into the semi-finals of the Europa League despite being put to the sword against Wolfsburg in a 2-2 draw in their quarter-final second leg at the San Paolo.

Jose Maria Callejon of Napoli celebrates after scoring goal 1-0 during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg match between SSC Napoli and VfL Wolfsburg on April 23, 2015© Getty Images

The visitors, needing to overturn a 4-1 deficit from the first leg in Germany, set about trying to get a goal immediately, and pushed forward from the off.

Within the first minute, Daniel Caligiuri charged down the right flank before whipping in a dangerous cross that Ivan Perisic flicked goalwards.

The ball bounced deceivingly high, with goalkeeper Mariano Andujar having to leap to his right to parry away from goal.

Wolfsburg continued to press and saw Nicklas Bendtner's header from Christian Trasch's cross fly just wide in the eighth minute.

Midway through the first half Trasch also missed the target with a shot from the area, while Caligiuri and Josuha Guilavogui forced blocks from the opposition defence.

Wolfsburg's defender from Switzerland Timm Klose celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg football match SSC Napoli vs VFL Wolfsburg on April 23, 2015© Getty Images

It remained goalless at the break, but any hopes, no matter how faint, that Wolfsburg harboured of getting back in the tie were extinguished five minutes after the restart.

Jose Callejon found space outside the box and let rip with a long-range strike as a deflection took the ball inside the near post and beyond Diego Benaglio.

Napoli added a second not long after the hour mark when Gonzalo Higuain teed up Dries Mertens, whose first effort was saved by Benaglio before the ball fell at the Belgian's feet for a rebound into the top corner.

Dieter Hecking's charges, eager to restore some pride, pulled a goal back in the 71st minute courtesy of Timm Klose's header low into the net following Maximilian Arnold's cross.

Just two minutes later the visitors shocked the home crowd by levelling the score on the night when Guilavogui's cross allowed Perisic to nod home.

Despite this promising fightback, it proved too little too late for Wolfsburg as Napoli comfortably saw out the rest of the game to progress 6-3 on aggregate.

ID:218885: cacheID:218885:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5696:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Napoli's player Gokhan Inler vies with VfL Wolfsburg player Ricardo Rodriguez during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg match between SSC Napoli and VfL Wolfsburg on April 23, 2015
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Napoli on verge of Europa League semi-finals
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Rams
@
Bears
6pm
Eagles
@
Buccaneers
6pm
Steelers
@
Colts
6pm
Saints
@
Falcons
6pm
Broncos
@
Jets
6pm
Vikings
@
Packers
6pm
Bengals
@
Panthers
6pm
Jags
@
Texans
9.05pm
Patriots
@
49ers
9.05pm
Washington
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Chiefs
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Browns
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Ajax11003
2FCSB11003
3Lazio11003
4Spurs11003
5Galatasaray11003
6Lyon11003
7Rangers11003
8Slavia Prague11003
9AZ11003
10Anderlecht11003
11Bodo/Glimt11003
12Braga11003
13Fenerbahce11003
14Plzen10101
15Frankfurt10101
16FC Twente10101
17Hoffenheim10101
18Real Sociedad10101
19Midtjylland10101
20Man Utd10101
21Nice10101
22Roma10101
23Athletic Club00000
24Elfsborg10010
25Ferencvaros10010
26M. Tel Aviv10010
27Porto10010
28Union SG10010
29Ludogorets10010
30Malmo10010
31Olympiacos10010
32PAOK10010
33Dynamo Kiev10010
34Qarabag10010
35RFS10010
36Besiktas10010


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!