Napoli will host Braga looking to avoid a heavy defeat and qualify for the knockouts of the Champions League. The hosts would go to the next round of the competition with a win, a draw, or a one-goal loss. The Italian champions are currently in second place in Group C, three points ahead of third-place Braga.
Preview (Napoli vs. Braga)
Napoli will enter this game on the heels of three straight losses in all competitions. Two of which were devastating in Serie A—can fairly be said to have had a challenging few weeks. In Walter Mazzarri’s first game back as head coach of the Blues, the team defeated Atalanta BC 2-1. Since then, however, the team has suffered three setbacks, most recently a 4-2 loss to Real Madrid.
Napoli, the defending Italian champions, are now in fifth place in the table. They are 14 points behind leaders Inter. Napoli lost their last two Serie A games to Inter Milan and Juventus. They have also failed to guarantee their place in the Champions League knockout round. With three points more than third-place Braga after five games, Gli Azzurri is second in the section behind Real Madrid. According to the head-to-head record, an Italian team’s participation in the round of 16 would therefore depend on their ability to win, tie, or lose by one goal.
Napoli has not won at home in the Champions League this season. They had drawn with Union Berlin and lost to Real Madrid. Nevertheless, they have won four of their last six home games against Portuguese opponents. Braga is aware of how difficult it will be to place second in this group. They must defeat Milan by two goals or more. However, a point would ensure that they finish in third place and advance to the Europa League knockout round. While Braga has finished in the group stage of the Champions League twice before (in 2010–11 and 2012–13), Napoli was a quarterfinalist last season.
Team News
Due to injuries, Mathias Olivera and Mario Rui will be out of action for Napoli on Tuesday, and Jens Cajuste hurt his knee while playing for them on Friday. Despite rumors about his future in Naples, Victor Osimhen’s recent return to fitness is a significant plus. The Nigerian international started the last two games and will spearhead the home team’s offensive. Another in-demand player for the Italian team, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, will be used in the latter third of the field with Matteo Politano, who is also expected to start. Due to suspension, Shikou Niakate will not be available for Braga in this encounter.
Though no issues have been reported before this match, the visitors are in good shape in terms of injuries, and there shouldn’t be many big shocks in terms of the starting lineup. Alvaro Djalo and Simon Banza, who have scored 12 and 13, respectively, so far this season, are in fine scoring form and will once more be seen in the last third of the field. With nine goals in all competitions, Ricardo Horta will also play for Braga, who are aware that they need goals on Tuesday to have a chance of placing second in the group.
Napoli 2-2 Braga
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