SSC Napoli will be hosting Spanish giants Real Madrid CF in the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16, as the Italian side attempt to come back from a 3-1 defeat from the first leg that they incurred at Santiago Bernabeu.
Team News
Napoli– Napoli’s man of the moment Dries Mertens has incurred a slight calf injury on Sunday and might just be a doubt for the game. Manager Maurizio Sarri would be hoping the striker shakes it off before the all-important game against Real Madrid.
A huge boost for the Naples side would be the return of Arkadiusz Milik. He replaced Hamsik in the weekend’s game against AS Roma and looks to have recovered quite well from the cruciate ligament injury that had kept him out since October. Defender Kalidou Koulibaly is one booking away from a ban and would need to be careful.
Real Madrid– Real’s injury list has finally shortened after being a constant pain in the neck for most of the first part of the season. The only absence and a very crucial one nonetheless is of their budding centre-half Raphael Varane. Manager Zinedine Zidane is expected to deploy the experienced Pepe in his position.
Attacking midfielder Luka Modrić and defender Sergio Ramos are only a booking away from a ban and if Real are on course to progress into the next round, which is very much a possibility given their two-goal lead, they would need to keep themselves safe.
Predicted Line-up
Napoli– Reina; Ghoulam, Albiol, Koulibaly, Hysaj; Zielinski, Diawara, Hamsik; Insigne, Mertens, Callejon
Real Madrid– Navas; Marcelo, Pepe, Ramos, Carvajal; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
Key Players
Napoli– Without a doubt, Belgian striker Dries Mertens will be the most lethal forward on the field given his recent form. The 29-year-old has netted 18 times in 29 games so far and will come to the game on the back of a brace against AS Roma. Hamsik will be the second biggest threat Napoli have.
Real Madrid– Cristiano Ronaldo will, of course, have the big responsibility to see this through in a tricky visit to Naples. The Portuguese have scored some important goals at crucial moments for the Spanish side of late and Zidane would expect his best player to continue his touch.
Bale will be another huge sword at Napoli’s defence. The Wales international has the ability to score from anywhere in the attacking third and Napoli would hope to keep him at bay this time.
Betting Odds
Napoli @ 2.80
Draw @ 3.80
Real Madrid @ 2.45
