Napoli vs Wolfsburg preview - Napoli in charge - 7M sport

Napoli vs Wolfsburg preview - Napoli in charge



Posted Wednesday, April 22, 2015 by PA

Wolfsburg will require a major turn of events to get the better of Napoli on Thursday and progress to the semi-finals of the Europa League.

Italians Napoli host the German team at the San Paolo stadium, holding a 4-1 advantage from last week's opening leg.

Napoli are unbeaten in 11 European home games and are attempting to reach the last four of a major European competition for the first time since they lifted the UEFA Cup in the 1988-89 campaign.

"We always play to win," Napoli coach Rafael Benitez said to the Italian press. "Tomorrow we face a new challenge.

"We want to progress to the next round but we also want to do well, regardless of the first-leg result.

"Wolfsburg are a very strong team and we have great respect for them.

"We need to repeat the performance we displayed in the opening leg and score a goal in order to manage the game in the best possible way."

Benitez could rest some players in view of this weekend's Serie A clash against Sampdoria.

Napoli, who are battling to qualify for Champions League football next season, warmed up for Thursday's encounter with a 3-0 triumph at Cagliari on Sunday.

The outcome in Sardinia lifted the Benitez's side to fourth in the standings, one place and five points adrift of Roma, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Wolfsburg travel to the south of Italy knowing that no teams have ever progressed in a European tie after losing a home leg by more than two goals.

Napoli have conceded just five goals in 11 Europa League games this season.

To make the job all the more difficult for Dieter Hecking's men, midfielder Kevin De Bruyne and forward Andre Schurrle are unavailable. Both players suffered injuries during Sunday's 1-1 draw at home to Schalke.

Sunday's result left Wolfsburg second in the Bundesliga, 12 points adrift of league leaders Bayern Munich.

"We're not happy with just a point," Wolfsburg's Portuguese midfielder Vieirinha told Bundesliga.com. "We played well and we deserved to win, but football is like that sometimes.

"I think we showed a good response to the Napoli game, but we're sad not to have won."



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