UEFA Europa League Preview: SSC Napoli – Liverpool FC
Napoli on the right track
Football fans outside the peninsula remember Napoli mostly because of a certain Diego Maradona weaving his magic and dazzling the continental crowds with his skill. Those glory days are a thing of the past but Napoli is moving in the right direction once again.
The club finished 12th in the 2008/ 09 season following its promotion, sixth last season and currently ranks fourth in the Serie A rankings. A victory against Liverpool would act as a catalyst to keeping the momentum going. Neapolitan’s know a
club like Liverpool cannot be underestimated despite their woeful form.
"We can't be fooled by Liverpool's ranking in the Premier League. They are one of the most successful clubs in the world and are accustomed to challenges at the highest level. To win we must play the perfect game," said Napoli skipper Paolo Cannavaro.
Anfield in a mess
Liverpool currently stands 19th in the league – their worst start to a campaign in the Premier League era. Roy Hodgson will surely look to resurrect the league form and Europa League will thus only serve as a platform to test out the young and upcoming
players. Liverpool play a dangerous Blackburn side on the weekend and Hodgson is likely to rest key players going into this fixture.
“I'll leave some players out that is for sure. Some of the more important senior players won't travel because their participation on Sunday is going to be so important to us.”
In the absence of key players like Fernando Torres, the likes of Ryan Babel and David Ngog will be given a run out in the first team. The two will have to take their chances whenever presented. Babel in particular has been given no opportunities under the
new coach.
Hodgson shares the same views regarding the youngsters, "It's yet another opportunity for these players to blast their way into the team and force me to look at them in a different light, to make sure they are players that are first on the list and not down
the pecking order."
Team News
SSC Napoli
Apart from Cristiano Lucarelli who has been sidelined with a long-term injury, Coach Walter Mazzarri will have a full strength squad to select his team from.
Expected Formation
Napoli will take to the pitch in a 3-4-1-2 formation. Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani will lead the line. Marek Hamsik wll play the trequartista role just behind the striking duo. Gargano, Maggio, Pazienza and Dossena will form a midfield quadrant while Morgan
De Sanctis will keep the gloves.
Probable Line up
Morgan De Sanctis, Hugo Campagnaro, Paolo Cannavaro, Gianluca Grava, Chirstian Maggio, Michele Pazienza, Walter Gargano,
Andrea Dossena, Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi
Liverpool FC
Hodgson will be without the services of Daniel Agger and Glen Johnson as the two are out injured. Dirk Kuyt is likely to sit out another three weeks following his ankle injury with Netherlands. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres will be rested.
Expected Formation
Hodgson will play a 4-4-2 formation with his troops. Ngog and Babel will lead the line for the Reds while Poulsen and Spearing will form a central midfield partnership. Maxi Rodriguez and Joe Cole will look to provide width. Skrtel and Carragher will form
the centre back pairing in front of the goalkeeper Reina.
Probable Line up
Pepe Reina, Martin Kelly, jamie Carragher, Martin Skrtel, Paul Konchesky, Maxi Rodriguez, Christian Poulsen, Jay Spearing, Joe Cole, David Ngog, Ryan Babel
Key Players
Edinson Cavani
The Uruguayan forward has come in to his own this season and is leading goals corer in Serie A. The player will look to put further misery on a shaky Liverpool defence with his rocket of a shot and off the ball movement.
Pepe Reina
The Spanish custodian will be tested severely by a talented by a Partenopei outfit. Reina will have to stand tall and thwart the opposition time and time again if Liverpool is to achieve any kind of result.
Prediction
Napoli is doing exceptionally well this season while Liverpool is a club in shambles. Liverpool’s early season form might suggest that Napoli will run away with the tie but the European pedigree of the Anfield outfit cannot be discounted. The match will
be a tight affair and Napoli will edge out the opposition 2 – 1.
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