UEFA Europa League preview: FC Utrecht – SSC Napoli
Hopes linger for Dutch
Utrecht are hardly your European giants and were expected to struggle in the competition. The club, which has only played 36 Europa League (UEFA Cup) games in its history, has done little to dispel poor expectations hence ranks last in a group that contains
likes of Napoli and Liverpool.
As things stand, Utreg are bottom of the group with three points from opening four games. Interestingly, the Dutch side is level on points with opponents for the night, SSC Napoli. Ton du Chatinier’s men will need to win their remaining
games in order to qualify for the next round, an improbable task but a mathematical possibility.
Utreg are not in the best of forms with their most recent defeat coming only in their last match that was played on the weekend. The stage was Dutch Eredivisie and Du Chatinier’s side lost to Heracles Almelo. However, Utrecht will give
it their all to progress to the next round.
Napoli must win
Partenopei must win this game and the next, maybe they should go all the way in the competition for Serie A’s sake. The Italians have lost their fourth Champions League spot to Germany. The change will take effect for the 2012/13 season.
If Italian sides continue to underperform in the secondary continental competition, they even risk losing their ‘fourth best league title’ to Ligue 1 of France.
Last night, Juventus and Sampdoria were dumped out of the competition while Palermo’s progression remains only a mathematical possibility. Napoli aren’t doing well either and the highly talented squad assembled by Walter Mazzarri has only
managed a pathetic three points from opening four games.
The Neapolitans must win the remaining games in order to progress to the next round. Mazzarri must also pray Liverpool make them a favour tonight by defeating Steaua Bucuresti. Should Neapolitans fail to win, they can kiss their progression
hopes good bye at the very initial stages.
Team News
FC Utrecht
Ton du Chatinier will lead his troops with a clean bill of health. Ricky Wolfswinkel will be the main striker in Chatinier’s 4-4-1-1 formation.
SSC Napoli
Napoli will be sweating on the fitness of skipper Paolo Cannavaro but the rest of the squad is fit and raring to go. Mazzarri is expected to field a full strength squad that will have Cavani play the lone striker’s role with Hamsik and
Lavezzi assisting the Uruguayan.
Key Players
Michel Vorm
Utrecht will do well to keep a clean sheet in this match as it will go a long way in achieveinf a result against Partenopei. Goalkeeper Michel Vorm will have to stay alert at all times to thwart the triple threat of Lavezzi, Cavani and
Hamsik.
Marek Hamsik
The Slovakian talent will have to play with his heart on the sleeve tonight if Serie A is to save his face. Hamsik has the ability to bring others in to play while possessing an eye for goal himself. Napoli will look to inspiration from
this highly sought after prodigy.
Prediction
Sorry Serie A but it’s not your year this one. Neapolitans have struggled on their travels and a trip to Holland is never easy. Utrecht and Napoli will fight out a 1 – 1 draw that will dump both teams out of the competition.
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