Europa League

Napoli 1 - Villarreal 1

Napoli: Reina; Hysaj, Chiriches, Raúl Albiol, Strinic (Maggio 64’); David López (Gabbiadini 78’), Valdifiori (Jorginho 75’), Hamsik; Mertens, Higuaín, Insigne. 4-3-3.
Villarreal: Areola; Mario Gaspar, Musacchio, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Rukavina (Samu Castillejo 58’), Tomás Pina (Manu Trigueros 84’), Bruno, Denis Suárez; Soldado (Adrián López 71’), Bakambu. 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 17. Hamsik. Volleyed shot past Areola after Víctor Ruíz headed ball back.
1-1. 59. Tomás Pina. Centre from left of area which went over Reina in to net.

A close call in the end, but a vital away goal by Tomás Pina took Villarreal through to the next stage of the Europa League. Marcelino’s team took a slim 1-0 lead into this match, and although Bakambu and Soldado tested Reina in the opening minutes, a volley by Hamsik after Víctor Ruíz headed out an Albiol centre cancelled out the advantage. Musacchio deflected a shot from Mertens on to the bar, and Areola had to save from David López and Inisgne, but a quarter of an hour in to the second half a corner came out to Pina on the left of the area, and he swung the ball back over the head of Reina into the far corner of the net. The midfielder was a bit coy about the goal in the post-match interview, but whether he meant it or not, it was enough to kill off any further threat from Sarri’s side.