Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk equalized late in the second half for a 1-1 draw against SSC Napoli in the opening leg of the Europa League semifinals on Thursday.
Napoli midfielder David Lopez headed in a corner from Lorenzo Insigne in the 50th minute at the Stadio San Paolo and it was all Napoli until substitute forward Yevhen Seleznyov redirected in a cross at the far post nine minutes from time.
Insigne also had a shot that hit the post early in the first half.
Photo: EPA
“We controlled the match, but it was difficult to play against them. They’re a squad that defends well,” Lopez said. “Now we need to react and see about winning the next match.”
“We had several chances and I think in the end the result wasn’t fair,” he said. “They produced only one shot on goal.”
Napoli are aiming for their first European title since Diego Maradona led the southern club to the 1989 UEFA Cup, the predecessor to the Europa League. Dnipro are seeking their first continental trophy.
The return leg is scheduled for next week. The final is to be played on May 27 in Warsaw.
Dnipro coach Myron Markevych gave his squad only a 40 percent chance of reaching the final, but he might need to revise the percentage.
In the previous three rounds, Dnipro eliminated Greek side Olympiakos, Ajax Amsterdam and Club Brugge KV of Belgium.
Napoli’s advancement could also be key toward convincing coach Rafa Benitez to stay.
Napoli sit fourth in Serie A, one spot out of the Champions League places, and need to win the Europa League to be sure of qualifying for the competition next season.
Napoli controlled much of the match, but had trouble creating chances against a solid Dnipro defense.
Insigne found the outside of the post with a long, looping shot 10 minutes in then was set up by Gonzalo Higuain in the 22nd, but could not find the target.
After Insigne’s goal, Higuain nearly doubled their lead, but his angled shot was deflected wide with a quick reflex save from goalkeeper Denys Boyko.
Higuain had two more chances saved by Boyko in the 73rd and 78th, and then Seleznyov equalized a minute after coming on.
Artem Fedetskiy sent a low cross in from the left and Roman Bezus missed it, but fellow substitute Seleznyov was on hand to tap it in.
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