It will be a cracker of a contest when Napoli faces Real Madrid in the midweek. Given their form of late, both the teams are perfectly poised to produce a high-octane display. Real have lost seven of their last eight clashes with Italian opponents and Napoli might add to their woes.
Here are 3 key battles which could decide the fate of the game-
Dries Mertens vs Sergio Ramos
This duel could well be the deciding factor of the game. The Belgian forward has been absolutely phenomenal for Napoli this season netting 16 goals and 7 assists in 22 games so far. Mertens has scored three hat-tricks this term, all of them since mid-December and there is a huge chance he will get his name on the scoresheet at Santiago Bernabeu.
With an impeccable right foot, the 29-year-old is destructive with his sublime finishing, perfectly measured passes, from direct set-pieces and ability to dribble past opponents. He didn’t get much of a chance in the European competition with just four appearances, two of which were from the bench but he still managed to score four times and assist twice. He is eager to increase his tally and is perhaps Napoli’s most dangerous weapon.
Zidane will have his most trusted general Sergio Ramos to take care of him. While height wise, Mertens is highly unlikely to pose any threat to the Madrid skipper, it will be his ability to find spaces and speed on the ball, which could be difficult for Ramos to tackle. Ramos has won 66% of his average duels so far and will relish this chance.
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Kalidou Koulibaly
Ronaldo is always a threat to any team and this time will be no different. The Portuguese international has already scored 14 goals in 16 appearances this season in La Liga and two Champions League goals. He will be the biggest threat for Napoli.
Maurizio Sarri will have his highly-rated centre-half Koulibaly to take care of him. The player has been a hot prospect among European clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United and it’s time he proves his price. The 187 cm defender has a 90% passing accuracy and has won 52% of his average duels. Ronaldo is unlikely to beat him in the air and he will have to bank on his positioning and dribbling abilities to beat him.
Luka Modric vs Marek Hamsik
Both are the engine of their respective teams and will have to play crucial roles if their team is to progress to the next stage. Hamsik has been nothing short of brilliant this season so far scoring nine goals and registering seven assists in 24 appearances. The Naples faithful has a whopping 109 goals for Napoli, which is just six behind legend and leader Diego Maradona on the club’s all-time top scorers’ list.
The central midfielder will pull all the strings from the centre of the park. Hamsik has completed 1662 passes this season with a pass accuracy of 89%, of which 63% were forward passes. Real will have Luke Modric to do the same. The Croat has seen his progress halted this season by injuries repeatedly, but what he brings to Real’s game is unparalleled.
Completing 587 passes this season with a pass accuracy of 88%, of which 75% were forward passes, Napoli will have to shut him out if they are planning to get anything positive from their Bernabeu trip.
Stats Credits: Squawka.com
