Napoli put one foot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League after securing a 3-1 victory over Premier league club Chelsea. Chelsea and Arsenal are the two English teams left in the competition, but it is very much unlikely that Arsenal will not be making it into the quarter-finals. Following the 3-1 defeat, it is very much likely that Chelsea will also not be present in the quarter-final draw. Napoli have been one of the best teams in the Champions League this season. Despite being drawn in a group containing big guns like Manchester City and Bayern Munich, they managed to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
Chelsea were coming into on a poor run of form, which has seen them go without a win in the last four matches. In fact, Chelsea last won a match back in January. Napoli were the favourites to get the win against Chelsea. However, it was the English team that took the lead in the match through Juan Mata in the 27th minute. Just when it seemed that Chelsea were coming back to form, Napoli scored two goals in the remaining few minutes of the first half to secure a 2-1 lead at the break. Lavezzi then punished Chelsea in the second half to give Napoli a comfortable lead.
“Napoli have edged this game deservedly, but I still don’t rule out Chelsea going through at Stamford Bridge. I don’t think it’s over yet but defensively Chelsea have to get better,” former England manager Graham Taylor said after the match. The return leg will be played at Stamford bridge on March 14. Chelsea can go through into the quarter-finals of the Champions League only with a 2-0 win against Napoli said that is truly flying in the European competition.