NAP vs RMA Match Details
Date: Tuesday, 3 October 2023/ Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Time: 21:00 (CET) / 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Diego Maradona Stadium, Naples
NAP vs RMA Match Preview
After three consecutive winless games at the start of September, Napoli finally found their rhythm in the last two matches winning big against Udinese and Leece. In between, they also picked up a 2-1 win against Braga in their Champions League opener although it became a hard-fought victory at the end decided by a late own goal from the Portuguese side. Having lost just once in the first eight games in all competition, the Serie A winners will hope for consistency now and also a deep run into Europe. They made it to the quarterfinals last season so the urge will be to go beyond that. Their first stern test in the Champions League this season comes against the competition’s undisputed kings Real Madrid who are finding their groove as well. The only meeting between the sides was a double-legged last-16 tie with Los Blancos winning both home and away 3-1. However, Napoli did not suffer any defeat at home in Europe last season so could be optimistic about a positive result here.
Real Madrid also went through their struggles this season opening the Champions League campaign with a last-gasp win over Union Berlin at Santiago Bernabeu. Then they travel to Wanda Metropolitano to lose 3-1 in the Madrid derby against Atletico to lose their perfect start to the season. Yet the team showed a great mentality to get back on track with successive victories over Las Palmas and Girona. Madrid now sit top of La Liga with a point clear of title rivals Barcelona. They will hope to carry the momentum against the side previously managed by their boss Carlo Ancelloti. This is also the first time the Italian is going back to Naples since leaving the job in not a good way. He will want his side to silence the noise that will receive them with the Spanish giants winning last eight games against Serie A opponents and 14 out of their last 15 matches. However, they won just seven in 23 away matches in the Champions League which will not be a confidence booster.
Recent Form (all competitions)
NAP: WWDWD
RMA: WWLWW
Recent Form (Champions League)
NAP: W
RMA: W
NAP vs RMA Team News
Napoli have their star centre-back Amir Rrahmani missing with a muscle injury. Juan Jesus is also out with a hamstring injury leaving a shortage of options in the area. As a case, Leo Ostigard and Natan will renew their partnership at the back. Goalkeeper Pierluigi Gollini is also out with a hand injury but would not have disturbed number one Alex Meret between the sticks regardless.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid also have key players missing in defence with Eder Militao out for the long term with an ACL tear and David Alaba out of action with a muscle issue. Nacho and Antonio Rudiger will form the centre-back pairing instead. Arda Guler and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois remain unavailable for selection as well.
NAP vs RMA Predicted Lineups
NAP: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Ostigard, Natan, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
RMA: Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Nacho, Garcia; Tony Kroos, Tchouameni, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius
NAP vs RMA Dream11 Team prediction
GK: Meret (8)
DEF: Di Lorenzo (9), Ostigard (7), Carvajal (7)
MID: Zielinski (8.5), Bellingham (9), Kroos (8.5), Kvaratskhelia (8.5)
FW: Rodrygo (8.5), Osimhen (9), Vini Jr (9)
Vice-captain: Tony Kroos or Victor Osimhen
Captain: Jude Bellingham
