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Napoli's Lavezzi makes light of Maradona comparisons after Chelsea heroics
The Argentine attacker, who is nicknamed 'El Cholo', drew high praise after scoring two goals during a dynamic display against the Premier League outfit at the San Paolo.
Feb 21, 2012 7:20:00 PM
By Mark Doyle
Ezequiel Lavezzi has laughed off comparisons with Diego Maradona after inspiring Napoli to a stirring 3-1 victory over Chelsea in the first leg of the Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
After seeing the Partenopei fall behind to a 28th-minute goal from Juan Mata, the Argentine hauled his side level with a lovely 25-yard curler into the bottom corner 10 minutes before the break. Edinson Cavani then edged Napoli ahead right on half time before then teeing Lavezzi up for Napoli's third midway through the second half.
Lavezzi drew high praise for his performance but he was taken aback by fresh comparisons with his compatriot and Napoli legend Maradona.
"Don't call me Diego - I am 'El Pocho'," the forward told Sky Sport Italia with a wry smile on his face. "I was expecting a victory for the team. I was confident that we would do well. It was important to win, playing a beautiful game."
Lavezzi was quick to point out that the tie is far from over, but he did admit that Napoli is now in an excellent position ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
"Qualification is not finished," he warned. "But we have a nice advantage. We can go there and look for a goal that might seal our qualification."
Napoli managed to prevail at the San Paolo in spite of the fact that coach Walter Mazzarri had been banned from the sidelines and Lavezzi joked afterward: "It is better if the boss does not come back on the bench, so that we'll always win!
"No, the coach prepared us well for the game and told us that we should also help out in defense. I think that we have done that as well as we possibly could."
The eagerly-awaited second leg of this Anglo-Italian affair will take place in London on March 14.
After seeing the Partenopei fall behind to a 28th-minute goal from Juan Mata, the Argentine hauled his side level with a lovely 25-yard curler into the bottom corner 10 minutes before the break. Edinson Cavani then edged Napoli ahead right on half time before then teeing Lavezzi up for Napoli's third midway through the second half.
Lavezzi drew high praise for his performance but he was taken aback by fresh comparisons with his compatriot and Napoli legend Maradona.
"Don't call me Diego - I am 'El Pocho'," the forward told Sky Sport Italia with a wry smile on his face. "I was expecting a victory for the team. I was confident that we would do well. It was important to win, playing a beautiful game."
Lavezzi was quick to point out that the tie is far from over, but he did admit that Napoli is now in an excellent position ahead of the second leg at Stamford Bridge.
"Qualification is not finished," he warned. "But we have a nice advantage. We can go there and look for a goal that might seal our qualification."
Napoli managed to prevail at the San Paolo in spite of the fact that coach Walter Mazzarri had been banned from the sidelines and Lavezzi joked afterward: "It is better if the boss does not come back on the bench, so that we'll always win!
"No, the coach prepared us well for the game and told us that we should also help out in defense. I think that we have done that as well as we possibly could."
The eagerly-awaited second leg of this Anglo-Italian affair will take place in London on March 14.
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