The miracle failed. After Juventus, Napoli too say goodbye to the Champions League lounge and take a seat in the Europa League basement. However, the elimination of the Azzurri is very different from the black and white one, as evidenced by the thunderous applause with which the San Paolo wanted to pay homage to their favorites. In fact, Napoli finds itself out of the Champions League despite the 12 points in the standings, the same as Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal, both defeated in the Fuorigrotta fort. The goal difference in the direct clashes was decisive, which saw Benitez's men behind the Germans and English. The regulation is impeccable, but that of the Azzurri is still a moral qualification.
“The 12 points won in a very difficult group say a lot – commented Aurelio De Laurentiis bitterly. – We will still honor the Europa League, going there now is different because we already have a good turnover after the group stage of the Champions League". However, the disappointment remains strong, also because the qualification was close, indeed very close. In fact, with a quarter of an hour to go, when Higuain gave Napoli the lead with a splendid left foot crossed from the edge of the area, Borussia Dortmund were still blocked at 1-1 by Marseille. With that combination of results, the Azzurri would have topped the group regardless of the discard on Arsenal.
But then, just when the San Paolo was looking forward to the feat, the cold shower arrived directly from the Velodrome. Grosskreutz's goal (87') put the Germans back in front, forcing Napoli to have to score two more goals. Only one arrived (Callejon in the 93rd minute), but by then it was too late. “We just missed scoring a goal earlier – admitted Benitez. – So we would have had more time available. However, the team made a great effort and deserved to go through. Here we are working on a long-term project and the group is growing. This is the right path."
True, because the European version of Napoli deserves only applause (the Italian one, on the other hand, is at least to be reviewed). However, the regrets remain, because leaving the Champions League with 12 points really hurts. "It's incredible to find yourself out after beating last year's finalist and the current Premier League leaders" commented incredulously Gonzalo Higuain, who will now have to try to drag Napoli into the league as well. The gala nights are over, but Serie A can also offer great emotions.
