The Champions League of ‘missed chances’ for Serie A

With no Serie A clubs qualified for the Round of 16 and one, Napoli, eliminated, Gazzetta argues that the league phase of the Champions League has been full of ‘missed chances’ for Serie A sides.

Inter, Juventus and Atalanta have qualified for the Champions League knock-out play-off but finished in the top eight, failing to get a spot in the Round of 16, while Napoli were eliminated in the league phase.

“Napoli gave us hope, until the 60th minute, they had been stronger than their problems. They were beating Chelsea, and with that result, they would have reached the play-offs,” wrote Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Stefano Agresti.

“We were hopeful for Inter too. When Dimarco scored the opening goal in Dortmund, ten minutes from the end, the Nerazzurri were in eighth place and would have snatched direct qualification for the Round of 16 by the skin of their teeth. No such luck: Joao Pedro’s brace turned the game around in Naples and brought us back to reality.

“Conte is out of the Champions League once again, and Chivu goes to the play-offs along with Juve and Atalanta. For us, this has so far become the Cup of missed chances, or rather, chances thrown away.”

Napoli didn’t win any of their away games, collecting one draw and three defeats, finishing in 30th with just eight points.

“It didn’t happen because of the Chelsea match, but because of the terrible results that came earlier,” concluded Agresti.

“If you concede six goals against PSV, lose in Lisbon to Benfica, draw at home with Eintracht and away with Copenhagen, against opponents down to ten men, it’s hard to blame it all on the injuries, which, incidentally, weren’t that serious or widespread at the start of the season. Chances thrown away, indeed.”