Champions League: Group C Big Boys in Healthy Position

Real Madrid vs Napoli

So, how excited do you get about a match both sides can afford to lose?

Not that Real Madrid or Napoli will be contemplating any such talk ahead of their Champions League meeting in the Bernabeu on Wednesday evening.

Record 14-time European champions Real have already qualified for next spring’s knockout stages and know a draw in this will ensure they top Group C with plenty to spare.

Napoli, meanwhile, have a four point advantage over minnows Sporting Braga in the second qualification berth so will still hold their destiny in their own hands even with defeat in the Spanish capital.

That is the backdrop to this encounter which should make for compelling viewing, even if both teams may well feel quietly confident of achieving their aim.

SERIE A

Monza

Juventus

CLICK HERE

TO SEE UPDATED ODDS

Talking Points

Both teams warmed up with victories in their respective domestic action at the weekend.

In La Liga, Rodrygo struck twice and Jude Bellingham was on target in a 3-0 win at Cádiz which moved them to the top of the standings.

Rodrygo fired home a superb shot for the opener before doubling his lead shortly after the hour mark. Bellingham then sealed the win with his 11^th league goal of the season.

In Italy, Napoli bounced back from a surprise defeat to lowly Empoli by edging to victory at Atalanta thanks to Kvicha Kvaratskhelia and Eljif Elmas goals, along with an assist from the returning Victor Osimhen.

Kvaratskhelia nodded home from close range before one-time Everton man Ademola Lookman equalised with a towering header into the bottom corner but then it was time for Osimhen to enter the fray.

Six weeks after suffering a thigh strain on international duty, he came on without his trademark protective mask for the first time since January 2022 and, once into the action, unselfishly rolled the ball across for unmarked and fellow substitute Elmas to turn home from six yards for what proved to be the winner.

While Los Blancos continue to be a force to be reckoned with under the great Carlo Ancelotti, top of La Liga and with a track record of three 10 semi-final appearances in the last 12 years in this tournament, Napoli are experiencing something of a transition.

Much has changed in the Italian camp since they met in Naples in October.

Walter Mazzarri of Real Madrid will try to win and gain points against Real Madrid in Group C in the Champions League — Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri leads his team against Atalanta in Serie A

For a start, they have a new manager in Walter Mazzarri.

It has been over a decade since he last sat on the Partenopei bench, but Tuscan-born tactician Mazzarri was brought in during the international break to replace the sacked Rudi Garcia.

How he now fosters a positive relationship with his players will shape the rest of their campaign.

In many ways, Garcia was on a hiding to nothing with many connected with the club still reeling from Luciano Spalletti’s departure.

To mark his first competitive match back in charge with the return to action of Osimhen was a big boost and could help provide the firepower they will need if they are to pursue success at home and abroad this season.

Although he is likely to start on the bench on Wednesday night as he continues to return to fitness, Nigerian Osimhen could just be the man to push Napoli closer to the knockout stages, especially with the pressure off Real. They rarely lose at home though and that will influence my tip with the SBOTOP Champions League betting odds.

History

When they met in Naples two months ago, it was a thriller in the Diego Maradona Stadium.

Leo Ostigard pounced to put the hosts ahead before Vinicius Junior levelled and the red-hot Bellingham gave the visitors the lead with a sublime finish. Piotr Zielinski equalised for Napoli from the penalty spot but an own goal by Alex Meret gave Los Blancos all three points.

Madrid have also enjoyed Champions League highlights in their previous meetings, including a last 16 clash in 2017 as both legs finished 3-1 to the Spaniards.

Goals from Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos and Casemiro put Zinédine Zidane’s Madrid in charge of the tie at the Bernabeu and, while Napoli took the lead in the second leg (as they had in the first), Real again ran out winners with goals from Sergio Ramos, an own goal and Álvaro Morata.

They also met in the first round of the European Cup in 1987/88.

Madrid won the first leg 2-0 through goals from Míchel (penalty) and Miguel Tendillo, before earning a 1-1 draw as Emilio Butragueño cancelled out Giovanni Francini’s opening goal for a Napoli side captained by Maradona.