Scott McTominay scored one and compelled an personal objective, because the Rasmus Hojlund penalty miss didn’t cease Napoli getting the higher of Qarabag 2-0.
The Partenopei acquired again on their ft with on the weekend, coping with the damage disaster by altering ways once more to a 3-4-2-1 formation. Miguel Gutierrez, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa, Billy Gilmour, Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku left them with a decimated midfield, however Lorenzo Lucca returned from suspension. after only one win within the first 4 video games. Qarabag have been actual giant-killers, beating Benfica and FC Copenhagen, drawing 2-2 with Chelsea, and shedding 3-1 away to Atletico Madrid.
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NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: David Neres of SSC Napoli battles for possession with Marko Jankovic of Quarabag FK throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
It was an aggressive begin from the Azerbaijani facet, as Emmanuel Addai drilled simply huge from distance, whereas Bahlul Mustafazade made a decisive interception to cease Rasmus Hojlund tapping within the David Neres roll throughout.
Neres virtually scored a sensational objective on 35 minutes with an overhead kick, forcing a determined one-handed save out of Mateusz Kochalski, then Mathias Olivera was unable to show within the rebound.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo was maybe offside anyway when despatched clear, however he stumbled earlier than taking the end and the possibility went begging.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Elvin Jafarguliyev of Quarabag FK battles for possession with Giovanni Di Lorenzo of SSC Napoli throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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Moments later, Neres acquired all of it improper after turning Kevin Medina, as he went for objective from an inconceivable angle quite than searching for unmarked Hojlund.
There was a scare straight after the restart, as a result of Medina was felled when by accident charging down the ferocious Scott McTominay effort together with his face.
Napoli obtained a penalty when Marko Jankovic was adjudged to have introduced down Di Lorenzo throughout their coming collectively. Hojlund stepped up, however his spot-kick was parried by Kochalski.
NAPLES, ITALY – NOVEMBER 25: Rasmus Hojlund of SSC Napoli misses a penalty throughout the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Part MD5 match between SSC Napoli and Qarabag FK at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on November 25, 2025 in Naples, Italy. (Photograph by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Pictures)
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Matteo Politano got here on and made a right away affect, floating a cross to the again submit for Matias Olivera to pressure a save out of Kochalski on the close to submit.
Napoli scored on the ensuing nook, as Kochalski did what he might on a comically shinned Mustafazade clearance, however might do nothing on the McTominay header from point-blank vary.
Kochalski continued to maintain the scoreline down with a exceptional double save on Noa Lang after which the McTominay follow-up.
Neres was unfortunate to not add one other on the counter-attack from a Qarabag nook, as his lob thumped the body of the objective.
Luck was on their facet quickly after, as Napoli doubled their lead when McTominay’s acrobatic volley from an Olivera help was deflected in off Jankovic to completely wrong-foot his goalkeeper.
Scott McTominay cannot cease scoring overhead kicks! Not fairly as fairly because the final one, however all of them depend 😅 pic.twitter.com/F5dvvo16Mp
Milinkovic-Savic flew to palm away the Addai effort, as Napoli held on for the clear sheet.
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Napoli 2-0 Qarabag
McTominay 66 (N), Jankovic og 72 (N)
Saved penalty: Hojlund 56 (N)