Napoli v Sporting: all the OPTA stats ahead of the Champions League clash | OneFootball

In view of the Champions League match between Napoli and Sporting Lisbon, here are all the interesting facts and figures collected by OPTA.

Napoli-Sporting: all the OPTA statistics before the Champions League clash

The two previous European encounters between the two teams date back to the first round of the UEFA Cup 1989-90: both matches ended 0-0, with Napoli qualifying on penalties.

In the history of the Champions League, Napoli has won all 4 matches against Portuguese clubs: twice against Benfica (2016-17 season) and twice against Braga (2023-24), all group stage matches.

Sporting has never won away against an Italian club in European competitions: 13 defeats in 18 matches, 5 draws. The only clean-sheet achieved away against an Italian club was precisely against Napoli in 1989.

Data on Conte and Sporting

Antonio Conte has faced Sporting twice in the Champions League while managing Tottenham (2022-23 season), without ever winning (1 draw, 1 defeat).

Among the teams against which Conte has played more Champions League matches without winning, there are only Barcelona and Real Madrid (4 against both).

Interesting facts about Sporting

Sporting could win the first two matches of a Champions League season for the second time in its history, after the success in 2022-23 against Eintracht and Tottenham.

The starting eleven of Sporting in the first Champions League matchday was the second youngest of the tournament: 24 years and 255 days of average age.

Average age and Napoli statistics

Conte's Napoli fielded the fourth oldest eleven in the first round of the Champions among all teams: 29 years and 189 days of average age.

In the 0-2 defeat against Manchester City, Napoli shot only once: thanks to Sam Beukema, who also completed the most passes (38), won the most duels (6) and made the most saves (9) among all the Azzurri at Etihad Stadium.

Players to watch

Francisco Trincão scored two goals in Sporting's European season debut, as many as he had scored in the previous 22 Champions League matches combined.

Kevin De Bruyne will make his European debut with Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium. The only time he played at Maradona in the Champions was in November 2017 with Manchester City (4-2 win), in which he provided an assist.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.