The last time Napoli played Real Madrid… Recall Casemiro’s amazing volley

The most tempting game on Tuesday’s schedule is the duel between Napoli and Real Madrid. Do you remember the last time the two teams met? It was in the 2016/17 Champions League eighth-finals and Casemiro registered the best goal of his career.

The draw of the Champions League’s preliminary groups brought Napoli and Real Madrid together. Last year’s quarter-finalist and semi-finalist should duke it out for top spot in the group.

The last time the two teams met, there was one beautiful goal that Casemiro in particular will always remember.

It was in the Champions League eighth-final of the 2016/17 edition. The first match at the Santiago Bernabéu did not start well for Real. Marek Hamsik found Lorenzo Insigne, who opened the scoring.

But the home side’s reaction was not long in coming, with Karim Benzema equalising just ten minutes later. Just after the change of sides, Toni Kroos sent Real into the lead.

However, it was not enough for Los Blancos and they added another goal in the 54th minute. But how. Modric, James and Benzema combined in the whitewash, whereupon Raúl Albiol picked out the Frenchman’s pass just outside the box.

Casemiro found him there, didn’t hesitate and fired the ball into the net from a volley. It nestled beautifully against the right post and Pepe Reina had no chance.

Real won 3-1 and took a two-goal lead back to Italy. But in the return leg, Napoli went ahead again, needing just one goal to advance. But Los Blancos turned the tide with three goals in the second half to win the Champions League.

Source: UEFA