Chelsea face Napoli tonight in a game which decides whether they will have to play in a two legged playoff next month to get into the last 16 of the competition.
Speaking in his press conference last night, Blues boss Liam Rosenior was asked about the poor league form his opposition has, thanks to a major injury crisis:
“This is a very strong team. I think they have been unfortunate in the recent games that they played,” the manager said.
“The results haven’t followed the performances that Antonio’s team have given. We know it’s going to be a very difficult game in a very special atmosphere. It doesn’t change my plans at all because I’ve been planning for a very difficult game.”
Napoli’s crazy home record should worry Chelsea no matter who lines up against them
Frank Zambo Anguissa in action for Napoli.
Frank Zambo Anguissa in action for Napoli. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Rosenior is right to be worried. Napoli have been crushed by injury and are slipping in terms of league form, but their home record is just crazy, especially against English teams.
The Neapolitans have won 8 of their last 11 UEFA games at home against English teams, losing just one – against Man City in 2017.
Overall, they’ve won 12, drawn 7 and lost just 1 of their last 20 games at home in the Champions League.
With the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium rocking tonight and everything on the line, this is going to be a huge test no matter who lines up for Antonio Conte’s team.
In other news…
Two Chelsea fans who were in Naples were stabbed last night, and the club have released a statement about the incident warning supporters to stay safe and telling them how to do so.
Chelsea’s transfer situation is tense – nothing has happened so far, and people are getting antsy. Today, the BBC suggested that they could even terminate a player’s contract after failing to sell him for two years.
More Stories about featured
The charming streets of Naples.
Chelsea's team to fact Pafos, fairly generic group.
Todd Boehly speaks at the Milen Institute Global Investors' Symposium.