Napoli out of Europa League; police officer dies in Spain
SERIE A leaders Napoli were not good enough to advance in the Europa League yesterday after they were knocked out in Germany by Leipzig. The lastof-32 round of matches was marred by a police officer’s death in Spain after clashes with fans ahead of the game between Athletic Bilbao and Spartak Moscow.
Spanish police said the officer died in hospital after clashes outside the San Mames Stadium in the Basque Country city of Bilbao in northern Spain. Spanish media said the officer died of cardiac arrest.
Fans from both clubs were reportedly involved in the clashes.
Heavyweights AC Milan and Arsenal made it through, but the London club had to fight hard after an early surprise at home to Ostersund. Arsenal lost 2-1 but advanced 4-2 on aggregate.
In other games, Ciro Immobile powered Lazio to the next round with a hat-trick, Atlético Madrid scored only one goal but enjoyed a big 5-1 aggregate win over Copenhagen, while Celtic was eliminated by Russia’s Zenit. Borussia Dortmund secured a spot in the next-round spot thanks to a late goal by Marcel Schmelzer.
In Bilbao, police were escorting most Spartak fans into the stadium, but a stray group started throwing flares and objects towards Athletic fans and police officers.
Spar tak won 2-1 in a result that sent the Spaniards through on a 4-3 aggregate.
The draw for the last 16 is scheduled for today.