Alvarez and Chucky start in respective Champions League matches
Hirving El Chucky Lozano and Edson Alvarez started in their team’s Champions League matches. However, only Lozano’s Napoli was able to come out with a victory, while Ajax lost versus Chelsea with a late goal from the Blues.
Ajax vs. Chelsea
Alvarez played an outstanding match for the team from the Netherlands and played a total of 88 minutes. Before being subbed out, Edson showed once again why slowly but surely he’s gaining the confidence of Erik ten Hag, who has been counting on the Mexican during the Champions League matches this season.
The former Club America star nearly scored to put Ajax in the scoreboard, but his header attempt went just wide. Edson also impressed on the defensive side as he was able to contain the dangerous Chelsea attack for most of the game.
Unfortunately for the team from Amsterdam, their good fortune ended in the 86th minute when Michy Batshuayi scored off a cross from American wonderboy, Christian Pulisic.
That would be all the visiting team would need for the victory, and they take three valuable road points, which puts them in the first place of Group H. Meanwhile, Ajax now sits in second because of their head-to-head result, despite being ahead in goal differential.
FC Salzburg vs. Napoli
For his part, Chucky Lozano played 66 minutes but continues to struggle to find the back of the net. Napoli skipper Carlo Ancelotti has given the young Mexican star has opportunities to play; however, Lozano has not been able to capitalize.
Lozano played a solid game, but his performance was not enough to convince Ancelotti to keep him on the entire game. It was a hard-fought encounter for the team from Naples, but they were able to take the 1-0 lead in the 16th minute with a goal from Dries Mertens.
The home team answered back with a goal by Erling Haaland, right before the half. Early in the second half, Mertens gave Napoli the lead again, and soon Chucky came out of the game. Haaland even out the score with a penalty and made the last 20 minutes more interesting.
Chucky’s replacement, Lorenzo Insigne, would score only one minute later to give Napoli the 3-2 and final lead of the game.
It’s a significant road victory for Ancelotti’s men as they have now accumulated seven points and sit in the first place of Group E.
