Leading sportsbooks have installed Napoli as a top-two favourite to win the Europa League. But the Italians must get past Austria’s Red Bull Salzburg to continue their journey to the tournament’s trophy. It won’t be easy as manager Marco Rose has a talented team with Europa League experience.
Salzburg shocked many onlookers last term as they qualified for the Europa League semifinals. They took some big scalps on their way to the last-four before losing 3-2 to eventual runners-up Marseille.
Salzburg won’t be happy with Rose being linked to the vacant Celtic managerial position. The German manager has transformed Salzburg into an exciting European competition regularly since taking over in 2017. His days may be numbered as boss, but he has the chance to go out with a bang.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli are coming off of a 2-1 loss to Serie A rivals Juventus. Napoli played with 10 men for 65 minutes of the fixture. The disappointing loss to their rivals will spur them on at the San Paolo. Napoli’s dream of winning Serie A is truly over and they will have their full attention on victory in the Europa League.
Napoli should not take Salzburg lightly. Last season, Real Sociedad, Borussia Dortmund, and Lazio all found out just how good the Austrian team is. Salzburg’s dangermen are attacking midfielder Hannes Wolf and striker Munas Dabbar. Wolf will join Salzburg’s sister-club RB Leipzig in the summer. He is just 19-years old, but in a short time, the left-footed playmaker has built a reputation as a creative midfielder capable of opening up opponents’ defences. Wolf has tallied 10 assists and six goals in 28 matches. Three of those 10 assists have come in the Europa League.
This is the first meeting between Napoli and Salzburg. In fact, Napoli have never played a team from Austria. The Italians have been strong at the San Paulo in European competition this term. They are yet to lose posting four wins and one draw. It should be remembered that Napoli dropped to the Europa League after their elimination in the Champions League. In eight European fixtures, Napoli conceded just six goals while tallying 12. In addition, those six goals allowed came against the likes of Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain. Although Salzburg are a good side, they do not pose the threat either Liverpool or PSG did.
Napoli found their shooting boots against FC Zurich in the Europa League round of 32. The Partenopei should once again excel in front of goal as over 2.5 goals fly into the back of the net in Naples. Ancelotti’s men will see off Salzburg in the first leg, but the visitors will gain an important away goal.