Napoli added to the woes of Rangers’ unhappy European season on Wednesday night, when Giovanni Simeone’s double and a late header from Leo Ostigard secured a convincing 3-0 win in Naples.
Napoli manager Luciano Spalletti was adamant his side would not underestimate Rangers pre-match, but their brutal performance told a different story.
The Italians, Serie A leaders and Group A leaders, showed exactly why they dominate on both domestic and European fronts with a display that blew the scoreless Scots away within 16 minutes of the first half.
Rangers’ Ryan Kent looks dejected during Napoli’s game
Simeone’s rapid-fire double brought Napoli up to cruising speed before Ostigard headed a header past a helpless Alan McGregor from a precise corner of Giacomo Raspadori.
With a perfect run of results ahead of a clash with Liverpool next week, Napoli have become the first Italian side to have won their first five games of a Champions League campaign since Juventus achieved the same feat in 2004-05. They also set a new club record of 12 consecutive wins in all competitions.
The Gers, on the other hand, have lost all five of their Group A games, conceding 19. They still have a slim chance of claiming a Europa League spot, at the expense of Ajax, but should improve on the 4-0 score from their reverse match with the Netherlands when the two teams meet at the Ibrox in early November. .
More to follow…
What’s next?
Rangers are back in Scottish Premiership action on Saturday when they travel to Aberdeen; kick off at 3 p.m. During their last match in the group stage of the Champions League on Tuesday November 1, they welcome Ajax to Ibrox.
Napoli receive Sassuolo in Serie A on Saturday and go to Liverpool on Tuesday in their final group stage of the Champions League.
