Euro rivals: Napoli’s Champions League path wide open after Etihad | OneFootball

The European curtain for Napoli rose in the heart of England, where the lights of the Etihad illuminate football from Pep Guardiola's laboratory. It ended 2-0 for Manchester City, with the weight of an early setback that changed the game: the expulsion of Giovanni Di Lorenzo around the half-hour mark. Until that moment, Napoli had held on bravely, compact, attentive in defense, and ready to strike with counterattacks. But being reduced to ten men against a powerhouse like the Citizens is a luxury one cannot afford. Guardiola's team waited for the right moment: first, they forced the lines, then found the lead by exploiting the numerical superiority on the flanks. From then on, the script became inevitable. Napoli tried to defend with pride, but the English pressure was too high. The defeat, in the first match of the group, weighs but does not condemn: after all, losing in Manchester is not a capital sin, it only becomes one if you don't know how to react. And now, from the calendar, come opponents that seem written by a novelist: each with a character, a soul, and a flaw to uncover.

Sporting, Lusitanian balance and cynicism

The first obstacle at the Maradona is called Sporting Lisbon (October 1). The Portuguese, in their last league match, won away against Estoril, 0-1 signed by Suarez, who soars to 5 goals and 2 assists in 7 games. It's not just a scoreline: it's the identity of a team that loves to strike at the right moment, with almost surgical precision. Sporting knows how to wait, moves the ball intelligently, and then stings with central insertions and quick counterattacks. Napoli will need to stay clear-headed, avoid forcing plays, and remember that against such orderly teams, a single positional error can compromise the entire evening.

PSV, Dutch fire and the Pepi puzzle

On October 21, it will be PSV Eindhoven's turn, who bent Excelsior thanks to Saibari's signature in the final minutes. A match that tells the soul of Bosz's men: verticality, rhythm, pride. Pepi's injury is concerning, but the Dutch coach was clear: “Better to stop him immediately than to risk it.” Meanwhile, Guus Til has done an extraordinary job as a false nine. This PSV is chameleon-like, knows how to change its skin, and never gives up. A team that will play openly against Napoli, risking leaving spaces behind: the Azzurri will need to exploit them with cynicism.

Frankfurt, a roaring attack and shaky defense

On November 4, it will be Eintracht Frankfurt's turn. A schizophrenic team, capable of scoring six goals and then conceding four in twenty minutes from Borussia Mönchengladbach. They have already reached 17 goals in 5 games, but their defense creaks like old wood. The absolute protagonists of the last match were the usual hot names: Chaibi, who scored a goal and provided two assists with the ease of someone who lights up every action; Doan, an offensive playmaker capable of inventing two key passes; the defender-goalscorer Koch, who scored a surprising brace as a true additional striker; and especially Uzun, a talent just 19 years old who continues to rewrite his numbers with veteran maturity: with the goal and assist in the last match, he is already at 5 goals and 3 assists in 5 games. A rain of fire that captures the soul of Frankfurt: reckless, vertical, hungry. For Napoli, the challenge will be an exercise in intelligence: withstand the impact without losing their way and, at the same time, know how to take advantage of the spaces that the Germans inevitably leave. The key word, here more than elsewhere, will be balance: containing the storm without giving up the counterattack.

Qarabag, the Caucasian mine

On November 25, Qarabag will arrive at the Maradona. A team that many overlook, but that has already beaten Benfica and is experiencing a golden moment. After the 5-0 two weeks ago, they won again 2-0, with Zoubir and Gurbanly as protagonists. It won't be the most fascinating match of the group, but it's one of those that can decide qualification: beware of underestimating the Azeris, capable of entangling the opponent and punishing every lapse.

Benfica, Mourinho, and the weight of tradition

On December 10, there will be the away match at Da Luz, against Benfica led by José Mourinho. Here the charm of history meets the harshness of reality: the Portuguese are fresh from a victory signed by Pavlidis' brace, which came to overturn a complicated match. The Greek striker, between the league and Champions, is already at 6 goals in 8 matches: a forward who turns everything he touches into gold. Meanwhile, Mourinho is rebuilding confidence around a team that knows how to both restart and control the game. For Napoli, it will be one of the toughest nights: here, victory is achieved not only on the field but also in the nerves.

Copenhagen, Nordic pragmatism

After the winter break, on January 20, Napoli will fly to Copenhagen. Here football is played with order, intensity, and heart. The 2-1 against Sonderjyske bears the signature of Robert, who scored a decisive brace. In ten matches, the Danes have already 20 points: they may not be dazzling, but they know how to secure the result. The Scandinavian cold, the compact stadium, and the physical strength of the opponents are obstacles that often trip up those who arrive distracted, and for this reason, the Neapolitan team, led by a leader like Antonio Conte, will need to arrive as focused as usual, without underestimating the opponent.

Chelsea, the last challenge at the Maradona

On January 28, the group stage will close at the Maradona, against Chelsea led by Enzo Maresca. The English are not in a good moment: after defeats to United and Bayern, they also fell to Brighton, collapsing at the end after Chalobah's expulsion. Chelsea appears tired, fragile, insecure, but remains a Premier League team, with individual qualities that can change the fate of a match. It will be the last game of the group, the opportunity for Napoli to write their European sentence: redemption or regret.

Andrea Alati

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