In SSC Napoli, Eintracht welcome one of Europe’s biggest clubs to the Frankfurt Stadium in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday evening (kick-off 21:00 CET).
After being drawn alongside Ajax, Liverpool and Rangers in Group A, Napoli managed to win five of their six games to reach the round of 16 as section winners. Their only defeat came in their final group game at Anfield, which Liverpool won 2-0.
Fearsome attack
Napoli plundered no fewer than 20 goals in their six Champions League group games. In Serie A, Luciano Spalletti’s side have scored 56 goals in 23 outings – more than any other side in Italy’s top flight. Striker Victor Osimhen and left winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have netted exactly half of those between them, as well as registering 12 assists.
Napoli’s defensive record is no less impressive, having conceded fewer goals (15) than any other Serie A outfit this term.
Oliver Glasner’s team, meanwhile, extended their winning Bundesliga run at home to four matches – and kept their third consecutive league clean sheet in front of their own fans – courtesy of Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Werder Bremen. The Eagles also boast a formidable home record in Europe, losing just one of their nine games at the Frankfurt Stadium under Glasner.
We have to prepare well, but we’re ready. We also have a strong team.
Aurélio Buta
It is a record that Eintracht are determined to improve on Tuesday evening. “In Napoli, we’re up against strong opponents who are having a very good season,” said Aurélio Buta. “We have to prepare well, but we’re ready. We also have a strong team.”
Tuta agrees, adding: “We know we can hold our own and know we can deliver a good performance. We’re aware they have a lot of quality but against Bayern, for example, we also produced a strong display. They didn’t have that many chances.”
Match info
Kick-off: Tuesday 21 February, 21:00 CET, UEFA Champions League, Round of 16, First leg
Stadium: Frankfurt Stadium.
