Napoli – Real Madrid

A difficult task, but not entirely impossible. That’s the situation for Napoli before hosting the title holder Real Madrid in a Champions League 1/8-finals second leg at the Stadio San Paolo in Naples.

Real Madrid won the first game at the Santiago Bernabeu wtih 3-1, which is giving a serious advantage to Zinedine Zidane’s team. But in same time Napoli scored an important away goal, which could be decisive in their quest to eliminate the most successful team in the history of the competition.

Real Madrid are showing some seriois dip in form in their last few La Liga games, which is probably giving the Italian team some hope for a surprising elimination. Napoli need to score goals to go through, but in same time they need to play a solid game in defense and not concede. This is something very difficult against a team with the offensive power of Real Madrid.

The good news for Napoli’s manager Maurizio Sarri come from the recovery of the Belgian star Dries Mertens, who was sidelined during the win against Roma in Serie A a few days ago. Allan is still doubtful for the game because of a thigh injury.

There are good news for Real Madrid’s Zinedine Zidane as well. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, who missed the game against Eibar in La Liga a few days ago, are fit and ready to play at the Stadio San Paolo. Alongside Karim Benzema, these are the players who will have the task to score vital away goals on Italian soil on Tuesday night.

There’s a little doubt that Real Madrid are the huge favourite to win this game, especially after winning the first leg with a two goal margin. But in same time Napoli are a team which knows how to score goals, so who knows – maybe the Azzurri are about to play the greatest european game in their history. Who knows? Let’s see.