Match Review: Napoli VS Chelsea

Can Chelsea get past a Stubborn Napoli in the UEFA Champions League? This was the title I gave to my last article on the last sixteen match between Napoli and Chelsea. The statistics I provided in the article went against a Chelsea win. And that is exactly what happened between the Napoli and Chelsea match. Chelsea's poor season continues. Despite the fact that they are going through bad times they were supposed to go for a victory only and, probably, that is what cost them much.

If this was a Chelsea team of Jose Mourinho day's the match will be done and dusted after the first goal was scored by Juan Mata in the 27 minute from a defensive error by Napoli defender Paolo Cannavaro. The game started well. Napoli had some good chances to score in the earlier minutes. However, Chelsea were reluctant to stay back. They came forward also with some positive moves. However, Peter Cech had to make some outstanding saves for Chelsea to keep the scoreline level. Then, to everyone's surprise Chelsea scored! The commentators were talking about how the headline would be in tomorrow's newspaper about the match hinting a positive outcome for Chelsea. But they didn't know what was going to happen next.

Despite the fact that Chelsea went ahead and were in full control of the match for the time being, Napoli didn't stay back. In fact, it didn't take much time to take the advantage of defensive error and lack of harmony in Chelsea defense. Lavezzi scored in the 38 minute to score the first of his two goals for Napoli from outside the penalty box. He was given roam by Chelsea players and he made the best use of it. What turned terrifying for Chelsea is that Napoli went ahead in the 45 minute with the goal scored by inform striker Cavani. Chelsea were supposed to come back stronger in the second half. They did to be honest. But all went vain in front of a solid Napoli defense. On the other hand, in every counter attack Napoli seemed to be scoring another and they did in the 65 minute taking full advantage of Chelsea's defensive error once again. Someone might wonder what was going on!!!!!!! In fact, Chelsea were lucky not to concede more than three goals. Ashley Cole had to stretch his leg to clear a ball from the Chelsea goal line to prevent Napoli scoring their fourth of the night. Napoli had some other good chances also.

To sum up, the tie between Chelsea and Napoli is not finished yet. Of course, Chelsea have every possibility to win the tie if they can win at least 2-0 or 3-1 or 5-2 in the second leg of the match in Stamford Bridge. But they should not forget that Napoli have far better chances to reach the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League competition.