Despite a 1-1 draw in the first leg a week ago, Barcelona easily reached the round of 16 in the European League. The Spanish football club deservedly won 4: 2 (3: 1) in SSC Naples.
Barcelona, who failed in the Champions League, had a more effective team and took the lead early on after a counterattack started by former Bundesliga professional Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: Jordi Alba (8) completed the goal after a long sprint via a throw. Just a few minutes later, Frenkie de Jong (13th place) followed up with a flick from over 20 metres.
After the call of Lorenzo Insigne (penalty kick / 23), Gerard Pique (45) scored the goal 3-1 before the end of the first half with a shot into the far corner. The initial decision was made with Aubameyang’s goal (59). Napoli scored the second goal only by Matteo Politano (67).
Betis tied Sevilla 0-0 with Zenit St Petersburg in the parallel match as the Spanish club won the first leg 3-2. After two wins at home with a score of 2-0, SC Braga and Sheriff Tiraspol had to decide on penalties, in which the Portuguese won 3-2.
Early in the evening matches, Atalanta Bergamo, Porto, and Sevilla reached the round of 16. Atalanta did not have much difficulty beating hosts Olympiacos Piraeus 3-0 (1-0) and already won 2-1 in the first leg. Although Sevilla lost 0-1 (0-0) at Dinamo Zagreb, they won the match at home 3-1. Porto drew 2-2 (1-1) at Lazio at Roma and thanks to a 2-1 win in the first leg, they have a one-round lead. (dpa)