Last call. Napoli is preparing for the evening of the Champions League with the awareness of being more out than in and having only one result available so as not to raise the white flag one match early. Only victory will be needed against Shakthar, otherwise it will be goodbye to the top European competition and relegation to the second, with commitments on Thursday that are anything but welcome.
However, beating the Ukrainians would not be enough to breathe a sigh of relief, but at least it would keep the hopes of qualifying alive until next day, when the Azzurri will visit bottom side Feyenoord and Fonseca's team will host Guardiola's City.
“We have a difficult ranking situation with a small opening to exploit – commented Sarri. – Unfortunately it doesn't depend entirely on us, but we have to open that little door with a victory. This is not the time to do many calculations, I expect soul, grit and heart. If we need to get out of the Champions League, we have to do it having given everything."
In short, charge to a thousand but woe to take victory for granted. Already in the first leg Shakthar proved to be anything but a simple sparring partner and the current situation in the standings puts them in a position to play even for a draw.
“If anyone thinks that this is why we came here, however, they are wrong – Fonseca warned. – We respect Napoli and their game a lot but we are not afraid, we are ready to play a great game”.
Real belief or just pretactic? We will only understand it at 20.45, with the hope that the Azzurri will also raise their voice in Europe. Up until now, in fact, that of Napoli has been a subdued Champions League and Sarri, to reverse the trend, is ready to deploy the 4-3-3 type (net of Koulibaly's disqualification) with Reina in goal, Maggio, Albiol, Chiriches and Hysaj in defense, Zielinski, Diawara and Hamsik in midfield, Callejon, Mertens and Insigne in attack.
An orderly 4-2-3-1 is also on the way for Shakhtar, who will respond with Pyatov in goal, Butko, Ordets, Rakitskiy and Ismaily in the back, Fred and Stepanenko in the midfield, Marlos, Taison and Bernard in support of the single tip Ferreyra.
