Four games, 17 goals: Italian firecrackers continue dream Champions League run

Four games, 17 goals: Italian firecrackers continue dream Champions League run

It’s another massive morning in the Champions League, with Liverpool currently in action against Rangers and Barcelona locked in a fizzer of a clash against Inter Milan.

In the earlier results, it was another statement victory for Napoli, who have racked up another win over Ajax after a 6-1 demolition last week.

And Club Brugge have already booked their spot in the Round of 16 as the Belgian surprise package side continued their delightful unbeaten run.

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NAPLES, ITALY – OCTOBER 12: Alex Meret of SSC Napoli celebrates the victory after the UEFA Champions League group A match between SSC Napoli and AFC Ajax at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 12, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

NAPOLI DREAMING AFTER ANOTHER BIG WIN

Napoli reached the Champions League knockout stages with two games to spare on Wednesday after a flamboyant 4-2 victory over Ajax maintained their 100 per cent start in this year’s competition.

Luciano Spalletti’s side have four wins from four and a perfect 12 points at the top of Group A thanks to Hirving Lozano, Giacomo Raspadori, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen, whose goals took their European tally to an incredible 17.

Nine points separate the Serie A leaders from third-placed Ajax, who can still make it through with two wins from their final two matches against Liverpool and Rangers.

“It was brilliant, the team put in some great work and we are really happy to win and go through,” said Lozano.

Alfred Schreuder’s team gave a much better account of themselves than they did in the 6-1 thrashing Napoli inflicted on them in Amsterdam last week and kept the game alive until the final seconds through Davy Klaassen and Steven Bergwijn.

But they couldn’t stop an irrepressible Napoli team who are yet to lose a match this season in Italy or on the continent and had a packed Stadio Maradona dreaming that this could be their year.

Coach Luciano Spalletti of SSC Napoli reacts during the UEFA Champions League group A match between SSC Napoli and AFC Ajax at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on October 12, 2022 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

BRUGGE BRILLIANCE ROLLS ON

Surprise package Club Brugge booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with a 0-0 draw against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday.

The Belgian side are guaranteed to progress from Group B after keeping Diego Simeone’s side at bay in Madrid, and finished the game with 10 men after Kamal Sowah was sent off in the final stages.

Brugge stunned Atletico last week at home with a 2-0 win and although they dropped their first points of the competition at the Metropolitano, still secured qualification for the knockout rounds.

Goalkeeper Simon Mignolet made a series of impressive saves to deny the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa, frustrating the Spanish side, who are on four points from four games, six behind Group C leaders Brugge.

Club Brugge’s Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was a standout performer against Atletico – continuing his sensational redemption after being panned at Liverpool.Source: AFP

Catch the latest Fox Football Podcast now featuring Clem Morfuni, the Aussie owner of English football club Swindon Town! LISTEN HERE!