In the first round, the Italians unexpectedly lost 1-0 to their home crowd against Alkmaar, while the Spaniards defeated Rijeka (1-0), so Gennaro Gattuso’s players could not afford another defeat if they wanted to maintain their hopes for a promotion to the knockout stage. Especially that on Thursday evening Alkmaar won the second time. Their clash with Rijeka ended in a 4: 1 win.
The Dutch were led by Teun Koopmeiners in the fourth minute, using the penalty kick. A quarter of an hour later, Albert Gudmundsson stepped up, using the perpendicular play of Fredrik Midstjo. Soon after the change of sides, the Norwegian again showed his assist, and this time Jesper Karlsson showed off with a strong shot in the long corner. Alkmaar scored the fourth goal within an hour of play. The precise cross of Koopmeiners was replaced by Gudmundsson.
In the 72nd minute, Sandro Kulenović scored an honorable goal for the Croatians. After a cross by Stjepan Loncar, the former Legia Warszawa player showed a nice ball and then beat Marco Bizot.
There were not so many goals in San Sebastian, and the guests could enjoy the victory. Matteo Politano’s goal in the 56th minute was the decisive. The Italian midfielder swapped the ball on the 30th meter with Tiemoue Bakayoko, then decided to shoot. The ball bounced off Modibo Sagnan’s head and surprised goalkeeper Alex Remiro completely.
The Basques actually had one opportune situation to score. In the first half, Mikel Merino managed to do well under the goal after a cross from the right flank, but he hit his head over the bar.
The guests finished the game at “10”. Victor Osimhen received his second yellow card in stoppage time.
Alkmaar – Rijeka 4: 1 (2: 0)
Bramki: Koopmeiners (6), Gudmundsson (20, 60), Karlsson (51) – Kulenović (72)
Real Sociedad – Napoli 0: 1 (0: 0)
Goal: Politano (56)
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