Napoli go into matchday 3 of the Champions League group stage atop of Group E. The Partenopei have collected four points from six with a win over Liverpool and draw against Genk.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team is now set to visit Jesse Marsch’s Red Bull Salzburg as they attempt to distance themselves from the chasing pack.
Red Bull Salzburg have collected three points after a win over Genk and loss to Liverpool. The Austrians nearly took a major scalp at Anfield on matchday 2 after they came back from 3-0 down. In the end, Liverpool’s attack was too much for them.
Still, Red Bull Salzburg put in a strong showing and could qualify from the group stage to the knockout round. They will need to continue to collect points, which is easier said than done with Napoli coming to town.
Napoli are fourth in Serie A and head into their midweek game in Salzburg following a win over Hellas Verona. Napoli striker Arkadiusz Milik scored twice to give them the win. The Partenopei are unbeaten in their last three league games.
When you arrive to work on a Monday but remember you don’t have to wait till the weekend to watch us play. Back at it in the @ChampionsLeague on Wednesday.#ForzaNapoliSempre💙 pic.twitter.com/0P3XgnA8Hq— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) October 21, 2019
When you arrive to work on a Monday but remember you don’t have to wait till the weekend to watch us play. Back at it in the @ChampionsLeague on Wednesday.#ForzaNapoliSempre💙 pic.twitter.com/0P3XgnA8Hq
Red Bull Salzburg played last season in the knockout stages of the Europa League. The Partenopei scored a victory in the first leg in Naples, 3-0. However, Red Bull Salzburg won 3-1 in the second leg in Austria.
Napoli’s away goal at the Red Bull Arena proved to be the deciding factor in the tie as it sent them through to the next round of the Europa League.
The Italians have showcased a strong defence in both the Champions League and in Serie A. They have conceded zero goals in the Champions League and kept Liverpool’s vaunted attack at bay. Napoli then kept a clean sheet against Genk.
That defence will be challenged by Red Bull Salzburg’s exciting attack. The Austrians have tallied nine goals in two games. They not only put six past Genk, but three past the reigning Champions League winners. Can Red Bull Salzburg win at home against Napoli?
Ancelotti will be without Faouzi Ghoulam, Elseid Hysaj, Nikola Maksimovic and Mario Rui, who have all been ruled out. Their absences will leave Napoli light in defence. Ghoulam is the only one of the four that is not injured but seems to have run afoul of Ancelotti in the build-up to the game.
With both teams showing they are capable of scoring goals, Wednesday night’s match should see over 2.5 goals scored and both sides finding the back of the net. Despite their injury issues, Ancelotti will mastermind a win against Red Bull Salzburg once more.