Napoli took a huge step towards earning a place in the Europa League semi-finals by beating Wolfsburg 4-1 at the Volkswagen Arena.
Despite a bright start from the hosts, it was Napoli who took a comfortable lead into the half-time interval thanks to goals from Gonzalo Higuain and Marek Hamsik.
Hamsik added another after the break and Manolo Gabbiadini came off the bench to score his side's fourth away goal before Nicklas Bendtner reduced the deficit at the other end.
Read below to find out how Rafael Benitez's side moved to the brink of a spot in the last four of the competition.
Good evening everyone and welcome to our live text coverage of the Europa League quarter-finals. A competition that frustrates some fans with its length is finally at the business end, and Wolfsburg host Napoli tonight in the first leg of their last-eight tie. Who will come out on top in Germany tonight?
In truth, it's been hard to pick a favourites for the Europa League this year and both of these sides will fancy their chances of going all the way this season. Napoli's form in Serie A hasn't always been enjoyed by their supporters, but in Rafael Benitez they have a manager who can get the job done over two legs in Europe. There's plenty to like about this Wolfsburg side, but the pressure is on for them to prove they can turn promising performances into success at home and abroad.
How did the two teams get here? Well, Wolfsburg produced a near-perfect performance over two legs as they beat Inter Milan 3-1 at home against Inter Milan before travelling to the San Siro to pick up a 2-1 win. A 3-1 triumph for Napoli against Dynamo Moscow in the first leg took care of business before a goalless draw completed the win.
Wolfsburg should be full of confidence heading into this match due to their recent impressive form. Dieter Hecking's side are unbeaten in seven matches in all competitions, and they've won six times during that run. They remain 10 points behind Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, but they will be playing Champions League football next season. Triumphing in the Europa League before moving to that competition would give them a huge boost.
A run of five matches without a victory saw critics of Benitez voice their concern in recent weeks, but Napoli were back to somewhere close to their best at the weekend with a victory over Fiorentina. It looks increasingly likely that the Spaniard will leave the club in the summer. If he guides his side to success in the competition, it will give the Napoli hierarchy a very difficult decision.
Ahead of the first competitive fixture between the two sides, Hecking has been very complimentary about this Napoli squad by suggesting that his players will find it tough to find weaknesses.
"Their weaknesses? I don't know, I haven't seen any weaknesses. We'll have to be shown our own qualities in attack and defence if we're going to win," he told reporters in his pre-match press conference.
Benitez is also fully aware how crucial this first leg will be for Napoli's hopes. It's Wolfsburg who are under pressure to claim the advantage tonight. If Napoli can find an away goal in a draw or 2-1 loss, for example, you'd have to think they'd be happy.
WOLFSBURG: Benaglio, Vieirinha, Naldo, Knoche, Rodriguez, Gustavo, Guilavogui, Caligiuri, De Bruyne, Schurrle, Dost
SUBS: Grun, Schafer, Klose, Perisic, Trasch, Bendtner, Arnold
SUBS: Grun, Schafer, Klose, Perisic, Trasch, Bendtner, Arnold
There's no surprises in the Wolfsburg side as Daniel Caligiuri, Kevin De Bruyne and Andre Schurrle start in support of lone striker Bas Dost. Hecking has good attacking options in reserve, with Nicklas Bendtner and Ivan Perisic both named on the bench.
NAPOLI: Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; David Lopez, Inler; Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens; Higuain
SUBS: Cabral, Henrique, Koulibaly, Jorginho, Gargano, Gabbiadini, Insigne
SUBS: Cabral, Henrique, Koulibaly, Jorginho, Gargano, Gabbiadini, Insigne
The good news for Napoli fans is that Marek Hamsik has returned to the starting linuep, while David Lopez and Gokhan Inler partner each other in midfield with Walter Gargano forced to settle for a spot on the bench. Jonathan de Guzman misses out, but both Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens start.
A quick reminder that you can also follow live text coverage of Dynamo Kiev vs. Fiorentina and Sevilla vs. Zenit St Petersburg. It promises to be a dramatic night in the Europa League!
KEY BATTLE: Wolfsburg will certainly be looking to get onto the front foot in front of their home fans tonight. The star of their season has certainly been Kevin De Bruyne, and it's his creativity which brings out the best in Dost, Schurrle and Caligiuri. He'll put pressure on Lopez and Inler, who can't afford to leave too much space for the Belgian to find in midfield.
STAT: Wolfsburg are the least experienced side left in this season's UEFA Europa League – they have played only 60 games in UEFA competition.
Despite singling out Wolfsburg's attacking talent, there's no doubt that Gonzalo Higuain is going to be a key man across both legs. Naldo is fully aware just how dangerous the Argentine can be when he's on top of his game.
"He's a great striker, that is undeniable and we have to be careful, but Napoli are strong collectively," the Brazilian told reporters."We have to defend well as a team and we will have to play well for the entire 90 minutes."
PREDICTION: We're 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Volkswagen Arena, so it's time for me to have a go at predicting the outcome of tonight's game. Benitez has been an expert on the road in Europe over the years, and his Napoli side should be difficult to break down early in the game. However, I just can't see Wolfsburg not winning this match. 3-1 to the hosts.
Here we go then. The players are in the tunnel at the Volkswagen Arena and we're just a few minutes away from the action. A few handshakes and a coin toss to get out of the way first!
Wolfsburg will get the game underway!
Wolfsburg look confident in the early stages as Naldo sends a long ball forward to Dost, whose headed flick on is just too strong for De Bruyne.
Clever work on the wing from Caligiuri as he turns into space before delivering an inviting cross into the box for Dost, who is beaten to the ball as Andujar just manages to cling on.
Napoli are finding it very difficult to retain possession at the moment. Wolfsburg are working hard every time they lose the ball and it's the hosts doing all of the pressing early on.
Wolfsburg win a free kick 30 yards from goal, but the opportunity is wasted as Rodriguez curls his effort well wide of the target. Hecking will be pleased with this start from the hosts.
Poor from Vierinha. Some sloppy defending from the visitors allows Wolfsburg to commit men forward, but a dreadful cross from the right wing sees a promising attack come to an end.
Wolfsburg work the ball from left to right, but Naldo decides the shot is on from 30 yards as he fires a low effort straight at Andujar. The home side need to be more patient.
Excellent defending from Ghoulam as he tucks inside to turn the ball behind after De Bruyne had broken free and crossed the ball towards Dost. The corner which follows is cleared as far as Caligiuri, who sends a speculative volley into the stands.
Napoli finally show some attacking intent as they win the ball in midfield before breaking with Callejon, who slides a ball into the path of Maggio. Naldo responds well to get across and tackle the full-back.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 0-1 NAPOLI (HIGUAIN)
One chance, one goal! It's a stunning finish from Higuain, but Wolfsburg have every right to feel aggrieved. Mertens collects the ball on the left and he delivers a lovely chipped pass to Higuain, who appears to control the ball with his arm before firing a half volley past Benaglio. That could be a huge goal.
CHANCE! Wolfsburg are rocked. Another chipped ball forward creates an opening for Higuain, and he connects with a powerful volley from a tight angle. It looks like the ball is heading for the goal, but Knoche gets a block in.
Wolfsburg are starting to relax again with an extended spell of possession, but it's the visiting fans making all of the noise now. There's a lot of pressure on the home side. Napoli can afford to work on the counter from this position.
Hecking will ant his side to start improving their final delivery quickly. Schurrle cuts in from the left wing to find space but he sends a cross to the back post as Dost sprints in the opposite direction. Napoli are growing in confidence at the back.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 0-2 NAPOLI (HAMSIK)
This is turning into a very happy 55th birthday for Rafa Benitez! Napoli slice open the Wolfsburg defence once again as Higuain drops deeper to send an inch-perfect through ball into the path of Hamsik, who keeps his composure to beat Benaglio with a powerful first-time finish. Two away goals in the opening 23 minutes of the tie. It's the perfect start for Napoli.
The momentum of this match has completely changed. Napoli are winning every 50/50 in midfield, and we've seen very little of De Bruyne, Dost and Schurrle since the opening goal. Wolfsburg's promising start feels like a long time ago.
Wolfsburg will be desperate to produce a response before the break, but a good opportunity is wasted when Schurrle fails to clear the first man with a free kick. The home side come back moments later as De Bruyne links up with Schurrle, whose dangerous cross is cleared by Britos.
Moments after the clever move involving De Bruyne and Schurrle, Wolfsburg have an opportunity to reduce the deficit as Naldo heads over the crossbar from a corner.
CHANCE! In the 31st minute of the first leg, Naldo may have just kept Wolfsburg in the tie. Napoli break through again with Hamsik collecting the ball on the right side of the box before pulling a cross back for Higuain, who is denied by a superb tackle form the Brazilian. Wolfsburg must not concede again.
Wolfsburg would love to respond before the interval, and you really do feel that they can't afford to be two goals behind when the final whistle is blown later tonight. Hecking's side have looked nervy in possession and another move breaks down as Schurrle runs the ball out of play on the wing.
Hamsik's movement is causing so many problems for the Wolfsburg defence. He finds space before flicking a clever ball to Higuain, whose wild strike drifts wide of the near post. Napoli are looking very confident every time they get the ball.
De Bruyne is being forced to drop deeper to get the ball, and it's really not suiting Wolfsburg as the Belgian is struggling to get close to his attacking teammates. Napoli are doing a good job of dropping deep when the hosts do win the ball back.
Inler gives away a free kick after kicking Caligiuri, but the chance is wasted once again as De Bruyne's poor cross is headed clear. Wolfsburg have to make better decisions in the final third.
Caligiuri gets one on one with Maggio, who senses that the attacker doesn't want to take the shot with his left foot. He's right, and the opportunity passes by when Caligiuri cuts into traffic. Andujar then does well to claim a dangerous low cross from Schurrle.
The home fans are far from happy. Rodriguez takes over free-kick duties on the left, but his delivery is too strong and Andujar comes off his line to collect.
SAVE! Higuain is doing a great job for the visitors. He wins the ball with a great challenge on Guilavogui, and that creates space for Hamsik, whose low effort from 25 yards is pushed away by Benaglio. Wolfsburg look vulnerable to fast breaks.
Wolfsburg come very close to sneaking a goal at the end of the first half. Caligiuri does very well to earn himself space for the cross on the right wing, but it's too strong for Dost and Andujar gets a crucial touch on the ball before Schurrle can tap home at the back post.
OFF THE BAR! It's nearly the goal of the tournament from Schurrle as he cuts in from the wing before unleashing a powerful effort from 30 yards. It looks destined for the top corner, but Andujar gets a crucial touch on the ball to push it against the crossbar.
HALF TIME: WOLFSBURG 0-2 NAPOLI
It really doesn't get much better for Napoli. The visitors have scored two away goals in the first half and they are in complete control of this tie. They've executed the game plan to perfection so far, and Wolfsburg have struggled to match that intensity after a promising start to the game. A couple of vital contributions from Andujar protected the two-goal advantage late in the first half, but Wolfsburg must improve if they are to get back in this match.
If Wolfsburg are going to avoid conceding another away goal this evening, they must do a better job of marking Hamsik. The Slovakian's clever run created space in the middle for the opener and his fine finish double the lead. His movement has been excellent in the opening 45 minutes. The partnership between Hamsik and Higuain has been superb.
A victory is usually the first target for a team playing at home in the first leg, but Wolfsburg just need to make sure they don't concede another tonight. If Napoli take three away goals back to Italy, the tie will be over. Wolfsburg are under pressure to reduce the deficit, but they have to be wary of the Napoli counter.
Both sides are back out for the second half. No changes at the break. Napoli will get the game back underway.
Much like they did early in the first half, Wolfsburg have dominated possession since the break. Napoli can afford to drop deeper, though, and they should benefit from attacking on the break.
Excellent from Callejon as he collects the ball on the edge of his own box before leading the break to put the pressure on the hosts. Caligiuri tracks back before conceding a free kick with a cynical foul. He's lucky not to be booked.
SAVE! How important could this moment be? Napoli have a great opportunity to make it 3-0 as Higuain outmuscles Knoche before sprinting clear. You'd back the Argentine striker to finish, but Benaglio reacts superbly to get a strong hand to the powerful low shot.
Hecking will be getting very frustrated with his side's poor end product. A De Bruyne corner drifts over everyone in the box before Caligiuri slices a cross out of play from the left wing. This is not we're used to seeing from Wolfsburg.
Much better from Wolfsburg. They show some patience in possession as Napoli lose their shape in midfield. De Bruyne drifts out wide to collect the ball on the right before drilling in a low cross which is cleared by Albiol. Gustavo sends a deflected effort wide moments later.
CHANCE! Wolfsburg work the corner short to Caligiuri, who evades a challenge in the box before curling an effort over the crossbar. Decent opening for the hosts.
Poor from Callejon. Wolfsburg lose the ball in the middle of the pitch to open themselves up to the counter, but the attacking midfielder's ambitious effort clears the crossbar from the right win.
SUBSTITUTION: Dost looked like a striker who hadn't scored for eight games before tonight, and his disappointing night is over as Hecking sends on Bendtner, who almost gets a chance immediately when De Bruyne's header across the box is cleared.
SUBSTITUTION: Mertens gets a great reception from the visiting supporters as he walks off to be replaced by Lorenzo Insigne.
You may have been expecting a second-half onslaught from Wolfsburg, but it just hasn't arrived. Surprisingly, they've lacked quality in attack and De Bruyne has had one of his quietest nights of the season. They really have to reduce this deficit tonight.
SUBSTITUTION: Wolfsburg make another change as Perisic replaces Schurrle, who has struggled to get involved on a regular basis despite rattling the crossbar in the first half.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 0-3 NAPOLI (HAMSIK)
Tie over? It's a disastrous mistake from Wolfsburg as Benaglio passes the ball out to Guilavogui, whose own sloppy pass sends Callejon through. He has the space and time to cross for Hamsik, and the skipper taps home for his second of the night. It's been the perfect performance from Napoli.
CLOSE! Wolfsburg almost hit back with a fantastic effort as Perisic fires just wide of the top corner from 30 yards. Andujar wouldn't have got near that had it been on target.
SAVE! Insigne unleashes a powerful strike from outside the box, and despite looking uncomfortable, Benaglio manages to get two important hands on the ball.
SAVE! Wolfsburg finally create a decent chance, but Andujar comes to Napoli's rescue. De Bruyne delivers the perfect cross for Guilavogui, who makes good contact with an effort at the near post to force Andujar into a stunning stop. Guilavogui then comes off to be replaced by Maximilian Arnold.
De Bruyne isn't having the best night at the office. A couple of poor touches see him lose possession on two occasions and he takes out his frustration on Ghoulam, who wins a free kick on the left wing.
Credit to Wolfsburg's supporters. Despite trailing 3-0 and witnessing one of their side's poorest performances of the season, they are refusing to stop singing. Wolfsburg just can't build any pressure. Napoli are quickest to everything in midfield.
SUBSTITUTION: A superb performance comes to an end as Hamsik walks off to be replaced by Manolo Gabbiadini. Hamsik has been at the heart of everything good from Napoli tonight.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 0-4 NAPOLI (GABBIADINI)
A few weeks ago Juventus tore Dortmund apart in the Champions League, but this performance by an Italian side in Germany is even better. It's poor defending once again as Insigne is gifted the time to deliver a cross which is headed home by Gabbiadini with his first touch since coming on. Benaglio got a hand to the ball, but he couldn't keep it out.
Napoli come close to scoring a fifth as Callejon holds up play before finding Maggio, whose cross is just too strong for Insigne at the back post.
GOAL! WOLFSBURG 1-4 NAPOLI (BENDTNER)
Is the door still open? Perisic does well to beat two defenders with a clever run on the left wing before pulling the ball back to Bendtner, who taps the ball in from a couple of yards out. Wolfsburg need at least one more.
Bendtner apparently picked up a booking for his celebration. What was the reason? It's not clear, but one thing for certain is that Wolfsburg still look vulnerable as Gabbiadini comes agonisingly close with a dipping effort which rattles the crossbar.
Napoli threaten on the break again as Insigne chips a clever pass to Higuain, but the striker delays his shot on the edge of the box and Wolfsburg eventually get enough men back to clear the danger.
SUBSTITUTION: Higuain applauds the Napoli supporters after another impressive display leading the line, and it's Henrique who replaces him.
Napoli are just trying to slow the game down in the closing stages to prevent Wolfsburg from reducing the deficit again. At this stage, the tie is almost over but if Wolfsburg get another goal they will retain some hope heading into the second leg.
Benaglio breathes a huge sigh of relief after catching the ball at the third attempt in a congested box, but Wolfsburg waste an opportunity on the break when De Bruyne's cross is cleared. There will be just three minutes added on.
Dreadful from De Bruyne. He's a fantastic player, but a poor night for him ends with another disappointing cross after ignoring a better option on the edge of the box.
FULL TIME: WOLFSBURG 1-4 NAPOLI
There may be 90 minutes remaining in this tie, but Napoli have got one foot, two arms and their head in the semi-finals of the Europa League. It was the perfect away performance from the visitors, and four away goals stunned Wolfsburg this evening. Can Hecking's side produce a response in the second leg next week?
That's all from our live coverage this evening, but we'll be doing it all again next Thursday when Napoli will look to complete a job which looks to be 90% finished. Join me at the same time next week. Goodnight.
