Napoli are poised to secure a historic first-ever place in the Champions League quarter-finals as they hold a 2-0 first-leg advantage over Eintracht Frankfurt.
The Partenopei will be banking on star performers Victor Osimhen and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia to lead them to victory in the return leg.
Napoli claimed a 2-0 victory in Germany in the first leg, courtesy of goals from Osimhen and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, after Kvaratskhelia had a penalty saved early on. Napoli will have the services of Alex Meret, Kim Min-jae, and Hirving Lozano, who have recovered from knocks. Giacomo Raspadori is the only player who remains out of action, but Matteo Politano is set to start.
Eintracht Frankfurt, who won the Europa League last season, are currently sitting sixth in the Bundesliga and have only managed two draws in their last four competitive games. They will be without the services of Randal Kolo Muani, who was sent off in the first leg and is suspended, and Jesper Lindstrom, who is injured.
The away goals rule has been scrapped, so if Napoli lose by a two-goal margin, the game will go into extra time. However, there has been controversy surrounding the match as local authorities have banned entry to those born in or registered as residents of Frankfurt, citing concerns over crowd trouble. Despite this, several hundred fans have made the journey, with some being helped by an alliance with Atalanta ultras, who have a longstanding rivalry with Napoli. There have already been reports of attacks on Italian police in the streets.
The Napoli starting lineup features Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim Min-jae, Mario Rui, Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski, Politano, Osimhen, and Kvaratskhelia. The Eintracht Frankfurt squad comprises Trapp, Tuta, Buta, N’Dicka, Knauff, Rode, Sow, Lenz, Gotze, Kamada, and Borré. The match will be officiated by referee Taylor (ENG).
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