Runaway Serie A leaders Napoli turn their attentions to the Champions League this week as they look to reach the quarter-final stage for the first time.
Napoli travel to Germany to take on Eintracht Frankfurt in the last-16 first-leg clash at the Deutsche Bank Park on Tuesday.
Luciano Spalletti's side finished top of Group A on goal difference ahead of last season's finalists Liverpool to seal their spot in the knockout stages.
Napoli won five out of their six games only losing their final match at Liverpool when their place in the last-16 was already safely in the bag.
But it is on the domestic front that the club has really shone with Napoli already looking like Italy's champions in mid-February.
What has happened has stunned Italian football and made the rest of the continent sit up and take notice: Serie A might not be the gallery of stars it once was but to be 15 points clear after just 23 matches is an incredible feat.
Napoli have dropped just seven points in Italy's top flight all season and look almost certain to win their first league title in more than three decades.
At the heart of this success has been the irresistible attacking partnership of Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen and Georgian wing wizard Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.
Serie A's leading scorer Osimhen is running at almost a goal a game the league, notching nine in his last eight matches since the turn of the year, taking his tally to 18 in the competition.
Napoli 4 Liverpool 1: Player ratings
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NAPOLI PLAYER RATINGS: Alex Meret - 6. The Italian was nervous when dealing with aerial balls and his punches were not convincing. He made a fine save from Diaz’s header. Getty -
Giovanni Di Lorenzo - 7. The 29-year-old was strong in the air and efficient on the ground. Diaz gave him problems but he stuck to his task. His use of the ball was impressive, too. EPA -
Kim Min-jae - 7. The South Korean was composed, quick to the ball and strong in the tackle. Liverpool found little joy in the areas he patrolled. AFP -
Amir Rrahmani - 7. The Kosovan made a number of blocks and interceptions. He was rarely exposed and linked well with Kim to cut out danger. AFP -
Mathias Olivera - 7. The Uruguayan had an easy night and must have expected more of a challenge from Salah and Alexander-Arnold. He was taken off with 16 minutes to go and replaced by Rui. PA -
Stanislav Lobotka - 8. The Slovakian was able to find space with ease and looked to start attacks. His through ball to Simeone carved open the defence and made it easy for Napoli to score their fourth goal. PA -
Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 8. The Cameroonian scored the second after a splendid wall pass with Zielinski and started the move for the third goal with a superb spinning move in midfield. He never looked this good during his spell at Fulham. Getty -
Matteo Politano - 7. The Italian’s shot hit Milner’s arm and earned a penalty for Napoli. He was an influential presence until making way for Lozano in the 58th minute. PA -
Piotr Zielinski - 8. The Pole scored his penalty with ease and it was strange that Osimhen was allowed to take the second spot-kick. His one-two with Anguissa opened up the defence for the Cameroonian to put Napoli two up. Then he scored the fourth goal before being substituted in the 74th minute for Elmas. Getty -
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia - 8. Liverpool struggled to contain the Georgian but his over-elaboration sometimes slowed down attacks. He made beating Alexander-Arnold and Gomez look easy before he set up the third goal. He made way for Zerbin in the 57th minute. PA -
Victor Osimhen - 7. The Nigerian hit the post in the opening minutes and caused chaos every time the ball came to him. He forced Van Dijk to concede the second penalty. Bizarrely, the striker took it himself, although Zielinski had dispatched the earlier spot kick, and Alisson saved. There were questions about his fitness and he limped off after 41 minutes and was replaced by Simeone. AFP -
SUBS: Giovanni Simeone (Osimhen 41') - 7. The Argentine came off the bench when Osimhen limped off and scored within three minutes. He set up the fourth goal for Zielinski and led the line well. Getty -
Alessio Zerbin (Kvaratskhelia 57') - 7. The 23-year-old was bright and caused problems for the defence as Napoli eased their way to the final whistle. Getty -
Hirving Lozano (Politano 58') - 6. The Mexican got into good positions but his shooting lacked power and precision. EPA -
Mario Rui (Olivera 74') - 6. The Portuguese saw out the final minutes with the minimum of fuss. EPA -
Elif Elmas (Zielinski 74') - 6. The Macedonian helped keep his side ticking over. AFP -
LIVERPOOL PLAYER RATINGS: Alisson Becker - 6. The Brazilian was left exposed by his defence. He saved a penalty and was quick off his line when needed. There was not much he could do for any of the goals. Getty -
Trent Alexander-Arnold - 3. The 23-year-old made Meret work from a free kick and sent in a couple of good crosses but his defensive work was poor. There are question marks over his involvement in the third and fourth Napoli goals. AFP -
Joe Gomez - 2. The 25-year-old had two lucky escapes after being exposed by Osimhen, once when the striker hit the post and again when Van Dijk cleared off the line. Then things went downhill. He lost the ball before the second goal and was not strong enough to halt Kvaratskhelia for the third. Matip replaced him after the break. AP -
Virgil van Dijk - 3. The Dutchman gave away a penalty – which Alisson saved – and was missing in action for Napoli’s fourth goal. Even a last-ditch goal-line clearance in the first half failed to put a shine on an ineffective performance. AFP -
Andrew Robertson - 5. The Scot got up and down the line and will be grateful that Napoli’s most threatening moments did not occur on his flank. His link play with Diaz is slowly improving. PA -
Fabinho - 4. The Brazilian tried hard to confront Napoli’s dominance but could not impose himself. The home team were too quick and passed the ball around him. EPA -
James Milner - 3. The 36-year-old conceded an early penalty and was booked shortly afterwards. He struggled to come to grips with the Napoli midfield and was replaced by Thiago in the 63rd minute. PA -
Harvey Elliott - 4. The 19-year-old was one of the team’s brighter elements in the first half. He showed glimpses of his creative ability but was over-run in the midfield and was tiring when he was withdrawn for Arthur with 13 minutes to go. PA -
Mohamed Salah - 3. The Egyptian’s control let him down when presented with a good chance and he shot once straight at the goalkeeper. He got little service but nevertheless looked out of sorts. Jota replaced him in the 63rd minute. PA -
Roberto Firmino - 3. The Brazilian kept dropping deep but he was unable to get into the game. His distribution was poor and he made way for Nunez in the 62nd minute. Getty -
Luis Diaz - 6. The Colombian scored his team’s only goal and his cutting in from the left caused the defence problems. He too often shoots from low-percentage positions, though. Getty -
SUBS: Joel Matip (Gomez 45') - 5. The 31-year-old came on for Gomez after half time. The back line was less porous for his presence but hardly solid. AFP -
Darwin Nunez (Firmino 62') - 4. The Uruguayan produced one shot, which was blocked, but did little else of consequence. AP -
Diogo Jota (Salah 63') - 5. The Portuguese ran hard in a lost cause but gave the defence few worries. Getty -
Thiago Alcantara (Milner 63') - 6. The 31-year-old made the midfield more effective but Napoli were in strolling mode by the time he got on the pitch. Reuters -
Arthur Melo (Elliott 77') - 5. The Brazilian on loan from Juventus made his debut with 13 minutes to go, in place of Elliott. He was on a hiding to nothing but had two shots blocked. AFP
The 24-year-old is looking to add to his one goal in this year's Champions League, which came in a 4-2 win over Ajax a month after injuring himself in an eye-popping four-goal thumping of Liverpool.
And he is convinced that there is plenty more to come from Kvaratskhelia, who has 12 goals and the same number of assists in all competitions.
“He is just getting started, you guys have seen nothing yet,” said Osimhen. “I believe he has the quality to make us dream this season, he has big confidence and we are here to help support him.”
The dynamic duo were both on target last Friday when Napoli triumphed 2-0 at Sassuolo, which set them up nicely for their next clash in European club football's premier competition.
But the next stage of their quest will not be an easy one as they take on a Frankfurt side who triumphed in last season's Europa League final – beating Scottish side Rangers on penalties.
The Germans finished just one point behind Champions League Group D winners Tottenham Hotspur to secure their clash against Napoli and Spalletti is prepared for a tough challenge.
“Every draw is tough at this level, although we are pleased that we have avoided PSG,” the Italian coach said when the tie was announced back in November.
“Eintracht Frankfurt are still the holders of the Europa League, which is the second-biggest competition in Europe, and they're on the up as a team. It certainly won't be easy.”
