By Anna Italia
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56% Ball Possession NAPOLI and 44% Ball Possession BENFICA
Napoli 4 – 2 Benfica
20′ Marek Hamsik                    70′ Gonçalo Guedes
51′ Dries Mertens                      86′ Eduardo Salvio
54′ Arkadiusz Milik (pen)
58′ Dries Mertens

Napoli defeating Benfica at the San Paolo Stadium with a 4-2 poker!   Napoli keeping the leadership in Group B with 6 points.

Great start for Napoli opening the score in the 20th minute following a corner conceded by defender Alejandro Grimaldo.  It is Captain and midfielder Marek Hamsik to score with a headed shot defeating Benfica goalkeeper Júlio César despite his stretch with both hands attempting to save but not reaching and the ball goes to the top right corner.

Photo: facebook.com/SSCNapoli

Party time at the San Paolo Stadium.   Napoli increasing the score in the 51st minute with forward Dries Mertens defeating goalkeeper Julio Cesar with a right footed free kick shot in the top left corner.

Photo: facebook.com/SSCNapoli

Things working out perfectly for Napoli battling as warriors.   Referee Felix Brych giving a penalty to Napoli in the 53rd minute.  The penalty is conceded by goalkeeper Julio César after a foul on Napoli forward José Callejón bringing him down.   Julio gets a yellow card.   Now, the most exciting moment when forward Arkadiusz Milik takes the penalty spot while Napoli fans increasing their support …. and BAM!!!   Milik converting the penalty with a left footed shot in the bottom left corner.   Total party for Napoli and this is really rocking big time!!!!!!!!

Photo: facebook.com/SSCNapoli

Napoli now with a POKER!!!!!!!!   In the 58th minute, a brilliant moment for Dries Mertens scoring his second goal of the match from close range defeating goalkeeper Julio Cesar with a left footed shot in the bottom left corner.   The assist is by Arkadiusz Milik.   Surely, you bet the combo Mertens-Milik working perfectly….. in total sync.

Napoli fans rejoicing seeing them in total dominion.   Here is the Tweet by famous Italian  Neapolitan singer-songwriter Gigi D’Alessio saying, just one word …. Marvelous!!!

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Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri decides to substitute forward José Callejón in the 70th minute to bring forward Lorenzo Insigne.

 Oopsssssss  oh my gosh…. just after the substitution …..

Benfica shortening the distance in the 70th minute!   It is Gonçalo Guedes to score defeating Napoli goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a right footed shot in the high center!!!  Oh gosh, what a blow!!!

Napoli replacing forward Dries Mertens in the 82nd minute to bring Emanuele Giaccherini.    You bet Mertens is leaving the pitch among the applause and ovations of grateful fans.

Say what!!!!!!!   Napoli better be alert and get back to battle.   I cannot believe Napoli slowing down?   Hello, just towards the end of the match, in the 86th minute and Benfica scoring a goal for the 4-2.  It is Eduardo Salvio to defeat goalkeeper Pepe Reina with a left footed shot in the bottom right corner.  The assist is by André  Almeida.

• Napoli are playing in Group B: Benfica (POR), Napoli (ITA), Dynamo Kyiv (UKR), and Beşiktaş (TUR). Napoli are leading Group B with 3 points..

UEFA CHampions League Group Stage – Group B	P	W	D	L	F	A	+/-	Pts
SSC Napoli	1	1	0	0	2	1	1	3
Beşiktaş JK	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
SL Benfica	1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
FC Dynamo Kyiv	1	0	0	1	1	2	-1	0

Source: uefa.com

Here is NAPOLI official starting lineup by coach Maurizio Sarri:

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Koulibaly, Albiol, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamšík; Callejón, Milik, Mertens.

Here is BENFICA official starting lineup by coach: Rui Vitória

BENFICA (4-4-2): Júlio César; Nélson Semedo, Lindelöf, Lisandro, Grimaldo; Fejsa, André Almeida; André Horta, Pizzi; Carrillo, Mitroglou.

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• Click the video to watch NAPOLI 4 – 2 Benfica highlights including all goals. Wednesday 28 September 2016

Photo: facebook.com/SSCNapoli

UEFA Champions League Group Stage
Matchday 2

Napoli 4 – 2 Benfica
Wednesday 28 September 2016
San Paolo Stadium
Naples, Italy

20:45

Referee: Felix Brych (GER)
Assistants: Mark Borsch (GER) and Stefan Lupp (GER)
Fourth Official: Guido Kleve (GER)
Additional Assistant Referees: Marco Fritz (GER) and Bastian Dankert (GER).

Goals:  20′ Marek Hamsik (N),   51′ Dries Mertens (N),  54′ Arkadiusz Milik (N)(pen),  58′ Dries Mertens (N), 70′ Gonçalo Guedes (B.), 86′ Eduardo Salvio (B.)

Official lineups – formations:

NAPOLI (4-3-3): Reina; Hysaj, Koulibaly, Albiol, Ghoulam; Allan, Jorginho, Hamšík; Callejón, Milik, Mertens.

Subs: Sepe, Maggio, Maksimović, Zieliński, Insigne, Giaccherini, Gabbiadini.

Coach: Maurizio Sarri.

BENFICA (4-4-2): Júlio César; Nélson Semedo, Lindelöf, Lisandro, Grimaldo; Fejsa, André Almeida; André Horta, Pizzi; Carrillo, Mitroglou.

Subs: Ederson, Celis, Cervi, Luisão, Salvio, Gonçalo Guedes, Gomes.

Coach: Rui Vitória