FC Zurich suffer 0-2 defeat against SSC Naples
FC Zurich have lost their Europa League round of 32 second-leg game against SSC Naples 0-2 tonight.
During the first few minutes of tonight’s clash with SSC Naples, both teams had several opportunities to open the score and take the lead: Following a corner by Kololli in the 5th minute, Mirlind Kryeziu missed Zurich’s first chance with a header. And just one minute later, a volley by SSC Naples captain Lorenzo Insigne narrowly flew past the goal of the visitors from Zurich. In the 15th minute, a header by Zurich striker Ceesay was off target and the ball whizzed past the right post.
The first half was overall evenly balanced. But unfortunately, just a few moments before the half-time break, SSC Naples nonetheless opened the score when Ounas got the better of his opponent and played a remarkable pass to Verdi, who scored the 1-0 for the home side.
FC Zurich had their first chance of the second half just after the half-time break: Kololli’s cross found Khelifi, but his volley narrowly missed the Naples goal (48th minute'). During the second 45 minutes, the SSC Naples players did not play as offensively as in the first half, but they still had some dangerous goal-scoring opportunities, one of which was converted in the 75th minute by Ounas to double SSC Naples’ lead to 2-0.
FC Zurich again did their best and tried to react to this deficit; however, unfortunately they did not manage to score tonight. With this result, FC Zurich’s 2018/2019 Europa League campaign is over. Next Sunday afternoon, 24 February 2019, FC Zurich will be hosting FC Lucerne at the Letzigrund Stadium (kick-off 4pm).
