Rafa Benitez’s Napoli cruise in Europa League as holders Sevilla come from behind

Rafa Benitez worked his European magic again on Thursday as a rampant Napoli produced a superb display to beat VfL Wolfsburg 4-1 in Germany in the first leg of their Europa League quarter-final.

Captain Marek Hamsik scored twice in between strikes by Gonzalo Higuain and Manolo Gabbiadini for the visitors at the Volkswagen Arena, and while Nicklas Bendtner got one back late on, next week’s second leg now looks set to be a formality.

Benitez has come under increasing pressure for Napoli’s faltering domestic form, with a run of just two wins in eight matches in Serie A seeing them slip seven points adrift of third place and the last Champions League qualifying spot.

That means winning the Europa League – which now brings with it a berth in the next season’s Champions League – now looks the easiest route into the continent’s leading club competition for Napoli.

And Benitez, who has won the Champions League, Uefa Cup and Europa League in an impressive managerial career, marked his 55th birthday on Thursday by seeing his side win in some style.

There was more than a shade of fortune about the opening goal in the 15th minute, as Higuain clearly controlled a long Dries Mertens ball with his hand before finishing past Diego Benaglio.