“Woe to underestimate Marseille!”. Rafa Benitez's appeal is loud and clear, because tonight his Napoli are playing most of the chances of qualifying. A success against the French, combined with the result of Borussia Dortmund-Arsenal, would allow the Azzurri to be masters of their own destiny, vice versa a draw, or even worse a defeat, would seriously compromise the progress. The problem is that everyone takes victory for granted, partly because Napoli are flying, partly because Marseille are practically already out of the game. “Everyone thinks so – admitted Benitez in the press conference – but this is wrong. Instead we begin to respect the forecast, then we will see what Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund have done. Among other things, by beating Marseille, we would guarantee at least the Europa League and this would already be important”.
However, no one near Castel Volturno wants to think of a scenario other than the Champions League, the ideal stage for the ambitions of Aurelio De Laurentiis. However, the president preferred to dwell on another aspect of the challenge, that relating to public order. After the attacks suffered in the first leg, many fear that the Neapolitan ultras can take revenge on the Marseilles. A gray scenario, which darkens even more when thinking about the warning that hovers over the San Paolo: in a nutshell, the risk of closure would be real, and next is Napoli-Arsenal. “Don't fall into the trap of the Marseillais – De Laurentiis appealed. – In France they treated us very badly, but we will have to welcome them with a smile. We are Neapolitans, we already have something extra and we certainly don't have to prove anything to anyone ".
However, Benitez cares little about these aspects. He, who will celebrate 101 benches in the Champions League this evening, is interested in the facts on the pitch and in training. The Spaniard has problems above all on the flanks, where in addition to the long-term patient Zuniga Mesto will also be missing for a long time (cruciate ligament injury in the knee, 4 months off). From now until the January transfer market, the only wingers available will be Maggio and Armero, who will obviously start from scratch tonight as well. The other interpreters of the 4-2-3-1 will be Reina, Albiol and Cannavaro in defense, Inler and Behrami in midfield, Callejon, Hamsik and Mertens in the frontline, Higuain in attack. Marseille will respond with a similar system, with Mandanda in goal, Abdallah, N'Koulou, Diawara and Morel in defence, Romao and Cheyrou in midfield, Thauvin, Valbuena and Ayew in the trocar, Gignac in attack.
