Napoli v Rangers is a match for the fifth day of the Champions League group stage and will be played on Wednesday at 21:00: statistics, likely formations, predictions, live TV and streaming
Luciano Spalletti is chasing the 12th ‘gem’, the one that would allow his Napoli side to extend their extraordinary winning streak. And effectively end the race for first place in Group A. The Azzurri are going through a real state of grace and give the impression that they absolutely do not want to slow down. Neither in the championship, where they have just chastened José Mourinho’s Roma at the Stadio Olimpico, nor in the cup. Qualification for the round of 16 is already in the bag, thanks to a resounding 4-2 victory over Ajax in the last round – they scored a total of ten goals against the Dutch side in the first leg and the return leg – but now they have to protect their supremacy, with the aim of securing a less prohibitive round of 16. Beating Rangers, already scrambled 0-3 in Scotland, and keeping second-placed Liverpool at arm’s length. So that they can travel to Anfield Road in a week’s time without the hassle of having to get a result, by virtue of the dazzling 4-1 victory over Jurgen Klopp’s Reds at Fuorigrotta last September.
The last two games against Bologna and Roma, meanwhile, have shown how this team knows how to win even while suffering. In the capital a pearl from Osimhen was decisive: the Nigerian unblocked a match otherwise destined for 0-0. Three golden points in a direct clash that are worth the partenopei’s solitary supremacy at +3 over Milan. In the Champions League, on the other hand, it is an even more assaultive Napoli. Nobody has scored more than the Azzurri (17 goals), who are the only ones, together with Bayern Munich, to be on full points after four rounds. In short, all the conditions are in place for another spectacular evening in the capital of Campania. Spalletti, however, will be facing Rangers, who have not been up to the task in the most important continental competition.
Zero points, one goal scored and sixteen conceded: nightmarish numbers, which allow Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s line-up to fight only for third place and relegation to the Europa League. The Scots must try to defeat Napoli and hope that Ajax lose against Liverpool, to then play all for everything with the Lancers on the last day.
The Prediction
TThere is no danger of this Napoli side slowing down, what’s more against the worst defence in the Champions League, who were already thrashed in the first leg. There is a good chance the Azzurri will take another win in a match with at least three goals in total.
Napoli v Rangers squad
- NAPOLI (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Juan Jesus, Kim, Olivera; Lobotka, Zambo Anguissa, Zieliński; Lozano, Raspadori, Kvaratskhelia.
- RANGERS (4-2-3-1): McGregor; Tavernier, Sands, Davies, Barišić; Lundstram, Davis; Arfield, Tillman, Kent; Čolak.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 3-1
