Napoli v Real Madrid: The pressure is on the world champions – Maurizio Sarri

By: Timothy Dehinbo

SSC Napoli welcome Real Madrid CF to the Stadio San Paolo for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie needing to overturn a first-leg deficit.

Napoli were beaten 3-1 in Madrid in the first leg when Lorenzo Insigne’s early goal was overturned by Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro.

Napoli must achieve something they have rarely managed in UEFA competition turn round an away defeat.

This is only Napoli’s second appearance in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League and they are seeking to reach the
quarter-finals for the first time. They lost to Chelsea FC at this stage in 2011/12, letting slip a 3-1 home first-leg win with a 4-1 extra-time defeat in London.

Napoli’s 3-2 loss to Beşiktaş JK in the group stage is their only defeat in their last 20 European home fixtures (W13 D6).

Napoli have lost their last two two-legged ties against Spanish oppositions. They fell 2-1 to Villarreal CF in last season’s UEFA Europa League round of 32 and 4-2 to Athletic Club in a 2014/15 UEFA Champions League play-off, and both times drew the home leg 1-1.

Napoli’s overall home record against Spanish visitors is W2 D4 L0.

Napoli have won only three of the 11 UEFA ties in which they lost the away first leg although two of those successes came after overturning a two-goal deficit from the first game.

Napoli’s record in three UEFA penalty shoot-outs is W1 L2.

For Madrid, they are unbeaten in the group stage, Madrid are
looking to reach the quarter-finals for the seventh successive year and have their sights set on becoming the first team to retain the trophy in the UEFA Champions League era.

They have lost just one of their last nine away fixtures in the UEFA Champions League. In this season’s group stage they drew at Dortmund ( 2-2) and Legia Warszawa (3-3) and beat Sporting Clube de Portugal (2-1).

Although Madrid eliminated AS Roma ( 2-0 A, 2-0 H) at this stage of the 2015/16 UEFA Champions League, they had previously lost eight consecutive two- legged knockout ties against Italian opposition, including a semi-final against Juventus in 2014/15.

The victory at Roma was their first success in nine visits to Italy. Madrid’s overall record away to Italian clubs is W5 D8 L18.

Madrid have gone through in 44 of 57 European ties after winning the first leg at home, most recently against FC Bayern München in the 2013/14 semi-final (1-0 H, 4-0 A). When winning 3-1 at the Santiago
Bernabéu first time out they have won four of eight ties, most recently against Manchester United FC in the 2002/03 quarter-finals (3-4 away).

Madrid’s shoot-out record in European competition is W2 L2.

Maurizio Sarri, Napoli coach, ahead of the clash said:”The pressure is all on Madrid. They are the world champions, the richest club, the
best, so they have to qualify.

“However, our fans are world champions as well, and all of Europe will see that. I don’t think fans screaming will cause Madrid real problems.

“The only thing that can scare a man is to see incredible determination in the eyes of their opponents, and that’s what I hope our fans will transmit to the players.”

Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly will incur a suspension with his next booking. Eighteen matches unbeaten heading into the first leg, Napoli have lost two of their four games since the 3-1 reverse at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Mertens has scored three hat-tricks this term, all of them since mid-December. Allan has not played since suffering a thigh injury during the 3-1 win at AC Chievo Verona on 19 February, but was on the bench for Saturday’s 2-1 win at AS Roma.

Zinédine Zidane, Madrid Manager ahead of the match said:”Champions League games are always difficult. We are up against a team that does not lose much, especially at home. I experienced the atmosphere here as a player and it was never easy.

“The fans really get behind the home team but that helps give the visitors extra motivation, too. Napoli will start with great intensity as they need to score. I don’t think they will be tired after Saturday’s win at Roma, when you win a big away game like that you don’t get tired, you gain strength. I’m sure we will have to suffer at times but we are ready for it”

Madrid Midfielder, Luka Modrić and Ramos are a booking away from a ban.

Madrid required two late goals from Ronaldo to salvage a 3-3 draw at home to UD Las Palmas, a match in which Gareth Bale was sent off, on 1 March and over the weekend they beat Eibar 4-1 away from home.

Zidane’s men have scored in a Spanish record 46 successive fixtures in all competitions, bettering Barcelona’s run of 44.

The game looks a tough one and just looks to end in a draw
PREDICTION: NAPOLI 2-2 REAL MADRID