Chelsea (1) V Napoli (3) , Round of 16 Second Leg K/O 7:45PM RTE 2

GavRedKing

Chelsea v Napoli

Roberto Di Matteo has yet to settle on a first choice XI after his first two matches in charge and has spoken of the use of squad rotation.

Juan Mata, Fernando Torres, Daniel Sturridge and Michael Essien did not start against Stoke last Saturday and could rotate into the starting lineup. John Terry and Ashley Cole recently returned from injury, while Jose Bosingwa is out with a hamstring problem. Raul Meireles is suspended.

Napoli have fielded a settled team throughout this season’s Champions League campaign, with a back three of Hugo Campagnaro, Paolo Cannavaro and Salvatore Aronica behind the central midfield duo of Gokhan Inler and Walter Gargano.

Juan Camilo Zuniga may start ahead of Andrea Dossena at left wing back, while Christian Maggio is likely to feature on the right. Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi will start alongside Edinson Cavani in attack.

Huge game at the Bridge tonight. We need to win at least 2-0 to go through out right.

I can see Napoli playing the exact same way as they did in Italy and Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik all causing problems.

Di Matteo rested, Mata, Sturridge, Torres, Essien for the Stoke game so all will come back in and should read something like.

---

Cech

---

Ivan----Cahill----JT---Cole

---

Essien---Lamps

---

Ramies----Mata---Sturridge

---

Torres

---

Could very well be Drogab for Torres after reaching 100 league goals at the weekend and Luiz may feature alongside JT in the back line, Bosingwa is out and Meireles is suspended.


Napoli :

---

De Sanctis

---

Campagnaro----Cannavaro----Aronica

Maggio----Gargano---Inler---Dossena

Hamsik

---

Cavani

---

Lavezzi

Napoli have won their last 6 games, including the first leg fixture, scoring 15 goals and conceeding 5.

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

GavRedKing

I think it will be 2-1 Chelsea and we'll ultimately go out of the competition

Napoli are a very good side going forward and will have chances and usually Cavani only needs one chance to score, Lavezzi will be very busy as usual and Hamsik will try and dictate play.

We have to stop Hamsik and Lavezzi and stop the wing backs bombing on.

Not impossible, just difficult, should be a good night ahead.

ShamoBuc

I think if Napoli go for it, they will win it, they will probably go through tonight. They have the firepower to trouble any team and should come out on top.
An early goal for Chelsea would make it very interesting and might force Napoli to be more attack minded, which should lead to a very entertaining game with alot of goals.
I'll go for a 3-2 Napoli win on the night.

NinjaK

Hope Napoli go through!!

jcf

Napoli through allready


done deal.

GavRedKing

jcf wrote: »

Napoli through allready


done deal.

Oh I forgot that there was no need for a second leg.

/ Thread I guess.

:rolleyes:

Essien

Can't see us going through here. We might win on the night but 2-0 is our best hope and to be honest, we all know we aren't going to keep a clean sheet.

Gav says 2-1, I'll second that.

SantryRed

Aquila wrote: »

We gotta go for it simples COME ON CHELSEA!

Going for it is the worse thing Chelsea could do. Napoli would counter attack them to death.

Chelsea should play their normal game at least until 65 minutes, hope to be a goal up by then, and then really go for it for the last 25 mins.

what a day

I Agree with Santry, if we can press hard right from the start and try get an early goal well and good but i would not go gun ho which would play right into Napolis hands.

---

Cech

---

Ivan---Cahill--Terry--Cole

---

Ramires--Essien

---

Sturridge--Lampard--Mata

---

Torres

---

A solid back four with two holding midfielders that can bring the ball forward and track back with ability. Essien and Ramires can run for ever and also take turns at making forward runs. Mata get the free role again in behind a hard working Torres that will close down the italians and not let them keep the ball. Both Mata and Sturridge will stretch the Napoli defense, Cole can add to that from the LW with Essien to cover.
Lampard to do the usuall long range shots and ghosting into the box.
If needs be we can throw on Drogba and Luiz as wild cards, Maybe even Kalou can come up with his usual important goals:)

We sould do well tonight IMO and hopefully go through. I can see us win but maybe not go through. If we go out with a fight il be happy as we can consentrate on the PL top four spot. Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!

grumpymunster

Hopeless optimist I think we can go through, difficult task not impossible. This has been a very difficult season for us to say the least, I feel we are a much better side than Napoli but if we are a better team at the moment is the point. My head says no but if we can get it right at last we will wash them away and win easily enough.

Now can we get it right heart says yes.

ronsgonawin

what a day wrote: »

I Agree with Santry, if we can press hard right from the start and try get an early goal well and good but i would not go gun ho which would play right into Napolis hands.

---

Cech

---

Ivan---Cahill--Terry--Cole

---

Ramires--Essien

---

Sturridge--Lampard--Mata

---

Torres

---

A solid back four with two holding midfielders that can bring the ball forward and track back with ability. Essien and Ramires can run for ever and also take turns at making forward runs. Mata get the free role again in behind a hard working Torres that will close down the italians and not let them keep the ball. Both Mata and Sturridge will stretch the Napoli defense, Cole can add to that from the LW with Essien to cover.
Lampard to do the usuall long range shots and ghosting into the box.
If needs be we can throw on Drogba and Luiz as wild cards, Maybe even Kalou can come up with his usual important goals:)

We sould do well tonight IMO and hopefully go through. I can see us win but maybe not go through. If we go out with a fight il be happy as we can consentrate on the PL top four spot. Come on Chelsea!!!!!!!!!!

Yeh that's the team I would go for too.

GavRedKing

It has to be said that Napoli havent lost in 8 games, strecthing back to January and they've beat Inter at home and drew with AC Milan away in that time.

Their no mugs this side and we face a really, really difficult task to overturn this result and will go down as one of the great European nights for us if we do.

Optimistic of going through, realistic we'll fall just short.

what a day

Any thing but a poor lackluster performance from us tonight and il be happy. Have a feeling we could be hearing bring back mourinho athem again though

Gonna have to get a few fizzy pops on my way home from work, its going to be a stressfull night!

SlickRic

3-2 Chelsea on the night.

out on away goals.

i've a feeling it's going to be a cracker, what with Chelsea needing to push, and Napoli being such an effective counter-attacking side.

it should be awesome.

Red Crow

Cavani rested at the weekend. Chelsea will score but they will concede.

My money would be on a Chelsea win by a goal. I just don't see the penetration in this Chelsea side and Cahill is a very average CH. Would love to see Chelsea go 1-0 up just to see how Napoli react.

GavRedKing

SlickRic wrote: »

3-2 Chelsea on the night.

out on away goals.

i've a feeling it's going to be a cracker, what with Chelsea needing to push, and Napoli being such an effective counter-attacking side.

it should be awesome.

Well we need at least 2 and to keep a clean sheet. I have no doubt we can score but keeping a clean sheet is another matter.

grumpymunster

what a day wrote: »

I Agree with Santry, if we can press hard right from the start and try get an early goal well and good but i would not go gun ho which would play right into Napolis hands.

---

Cech

---

Ivan---Cahill--Terry--Cole

---

Ramires--Essien

---

Sturridge--Lampard--Mata

---

Torres

---

Would be very surprised if that is not the back four we start with along with Ess & Ram. Robbie is striking me as slightly defensive which given our defense this year may not be a bad thing. W really do need not to concede an early goal as this would almost certainly take the crowd out of the game.

At the other end of the pitch not convinced by Lamps at all this season so not certain I would start with him. Problem is I dont know who to put in his place, pop Mata in the centre but left Malouda has been woeful and Kalou not quite but nearly as bad. I cant really believe I am saying this but maybe I would start Kalou with the rest of the team as you suggest.

GavRedKing

grumpymunster wrote: »

Would be very surprised if that is not the back four we start with along with Ess & Ram. Robbie is striking me as slightly defensive which given our defense this year may not be a bad thing. W really do need not to concede an early goal as this would almost certainly take the crowd out of the game.

At the other end of the pitch not convinced by Lamps at all this season so not certain I would start with him. Problem is I dont know who to put in his place, pop Mata in the centre but left Malouda has been woeful and Kalou not quite but nearly as bad. I cant really believe I am saying this but maybe I would start Kalou with the rest of the team as you suggest.

Could just go 4-3-3 and play

---

Cech

---

Ivan---Cahill--Terry--Cole

---

Romeu

---

----Essien----Ramires---
Sturridge--Torres---Mata

Job done.

grenache

gavredking wrote: »

Huge game at the Bridge tonight. We need to win at least 2-0 to go through out right.

can see Napoli playing the exact same way as they did in Italyand Cavani, Lavezzi and Hamsik all causing problems.

Di Matteo rested, Mata, Sturridge, Torres, Essien for the Stoke game so all will come back in and should read something like.

---

Cech

---

Ivan----Cahill----JT---Cole

---

Essien---Lamps

---

Ramies----Mata---Sturridge

---

Torres

---

Could very well be Drogab for Torres after reaching 100 league goals at the weekend and Luiz may feature alongside JT in the back line, Bosingwa is out and Meireles is suspended.


Napoli :

---

De Sanctis

---

Campagnaro----Cannavaro----Aronica

Maggio----Gargano---Inler---Dossena

Hamsik

---

Cavani

---

Lavezzi

Napoli have won their last 6 games, including the first leg fixture, scoring 15 goals and conceeding 5.

I don't think that will be totally the case. Napoli will sit deeper than they did in San Paolo game, certainly won't be as attack minded as we were in the first half of that game. Sit deep, let Chelsea come on to us, and use our Maggio/Zuniga to good effect on the break. Cavani will actually play deeper than Lavezzi tonight. Sometimes it feels like he is a fourth midfielder with Hamsik. Lavezzi is key though. This little man will ultimately decide if Napoli will win or lose this evening.

I think Napoli to win the game at 4/1 with Ladbrokes represents great value. I do expect Chelsea to score, But our defence is generally more solid away from home as we sit deeper, and don't play gung ho like we do at home, so seeing Chelsea score more than twice not something I'm expecting. Napoli should score at least once. My prediction is 2-2 on the night.

Avanti Napoli!

monkey9

Come on Napoli!!! I think they'll go through alright!! I can't see them not getting at least one away goal.

It'd be great to have no English teams in the quarter final. I always enjoy the Champions League more when the British teams go out as soon as possible (apart from Liverpool)

Sgt Pepper 64

Its going to be an intriguing game alright.
Chelsea HAVE to attack we know that much and I think Napoli will just play their normal game.
If we can get an early goal we might unsettle them a bit

I dont see Robbie being under any particular pressure as he wasnt responsible for the 1st leg.
That said, if he will do his CV no harm by getting us through.
I think the players will be well up for it, more so than under AVB who they didnt trust.
I reckpon Luiz wont be at CB though, reckon it will be JT and Cahill with Luiz on the bench.

It will be one of greatest wins if we can pull it off for sure though, but it could be like the 2000 Barca game where we won but conceded a killer away goal

Go Chelsea anyways!

celtictiger32

this time next week all the epl teams will be out of europe. about time too!

GavRedKing

grenache wrote: »

I don't think that will be totally the case. Napoli will sit deeper than they did in San Paolo game, certainly won't be as attack minded as we were in the first half of that game. Sit deep, let Chelsea come on to us, and use our Maggio/Zuniga to good effect on the break. Cavani will actually play deeper than Lavezzi tonight. Sometimes it feels like he is a fourth midfielder with Hamsik. Lavezzi is key though. This little man will ultimately decide if Napoli will win or lose this evening.

I think Napoli to win the game at 4/1 with Ladbrokes represents great value. I do expect Chelsea to score, But our defence is generally more solid away from home as we sit deeper, and don't play gung ho like we do at home, so seeing Chelsea score more than twice not something I'm expecting. Napoli should score at least once. My prediction is 2-2 on the night.

Avanti Napoli!

Good post.

If we do go out I just hope we do it with a fighting attitude, not physically though.

:pac:

monkey9 wrote: »

Come on Napoli!!! I think they'll go through alright!! I can't see them not getting at least one away goal.

It'd be great to have no English teams in the quarter final. I always enjoy the Champions League more when the British teams go out as soon as possible (apart from Liverpool)

You must hate the Champions League so, Liverpool not being in it for the last couple of years and counting.

monkey9

gavredking wrote: »

Good post.

If we do go out I just hope we do it with a fighting attitude, not physically though.

:pac:



You must hate the Champions League so, Liverpool not being in it for the last couple of years and counting.

Nope, i love it. It's just better when there are no British teams. I'd rather see the Continental clubs against each other.

It's like the European Cup or World Cup, always more enjoyable when the Brits aren't in it!

GavRedKing

monkey9 wrote: »

Nope, i love it. It's just better when there are no British teams. I'd rather see the Continental clubs against each other.

It's like the European Cup or World Cup, always more enjoyable when the Brits aren't in it!

Theres not too many Brits playing for the British UCL teams now a days though. :pac:

I love watching the UCL give more people better perspective of other leagues and the quality they produce.

Before this years UCL group stage Napoli wouldnt have been givena chance by any Man City fan that didnt watch Italian Football to get out of the group but here they are on the verge of a last 8 appearance in the UCL with a good philosphy on the game.

If Chelsea dont win it I always look to AC Milan but this is the first time they've been past the last 16 round in about 5 years.

Anyway, Chelsea 6-1 tonight with host of red cards for Napoli.

:cool:

Sgt Pepper 64

Whats with all the sad "English team in CL" haters?

How sad is that, I even cheered on Arsenal

Dont get that at all, but I bet a lot of them support their own British team

dfx-

As much as I'd like Chelsea to go out, I don't think it's as unlikely as some are suggesting. Napoli can do a Meelan without the cover of a 4-0 lead that Meelan had..

50/50 for me..

GavRedKing

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Whats with all the sad "English team in CL" haters?

How sad is that, I even cheered on Arsenal

Dont get that at all, but I bet a lot of them support their own British team

I always concenered AC Milan my 2nd team, I wasnt cheering Arsenal at all. :P

Its gonna go 2 ways, we go out and everyone can say how great it is that theres no English teams in it or we can go through and by that degree were the best team in England for going further thenany English team in Europes elite club competition.

Nalz

monkey9 wrote: »

Nope, i love it. It's just better when there are no British teams. I'd rather see the Continental clubs against each other.

It's like the European Cup or World Cup, always more enjoyable when the Brits aren't in it!

:rolleyes:

JP Liz V1

2 - 1 to Chelesa

willmunny1990

Don't see us getting through tonight. I don't think we will be able to keep a clean sheet. It's not an impossible job but we are up against it tonight and need to put in a big performance if we are to have any chance.

Pinturicchio

If Chelsea start well, I can see Napoli making a balls of it. I hope they don't though.

counterlock

Nothing would please me more than see Chelsea go through tonight. Although I would rather see Luiz play in CD rather than Cahill though, I still think his style suits Europe more than EPL.
3 games so far at Stamford bridge - scored 10 - conceded 0, cant argue wth that.

In the interest of disclosure:

i'm a united fan

monkey9 wrote: »

I always enjoy the Champions League more when the British teams go out as soon as possible (apart from Liverpool)

Would you like some sugar with that lemon?

GavRedKing

counterlock wrote: »

Nothing would please me more than see Chelsea go through tonight. Although I would rather see Luiz play in CD rather than Cahill though, I still think his style suits Europe more than EPL.
3 games so far at Stamford bridge - scored 10 - conceded 0, cant argue wth that.

In the interest of disclosure:

i'm a united fan

Would you like some sugar with that lemon?

Here ya go


:cool:

Hank Scorpio

Gonna go for a score draw

grumpymunster

nuxxx wrote: »

Gonna go for a score draw

A 3 - 3 draw on aggregate will be fine

what a day

Come on lads two goals is totally do-able.............we have Torres FFS!!!!:p

Honestly this could go either way, getting excited now but id be happy to go out if we put up a good fighting spirit!!

Talk tommoro gents

COME ON CHELSEA!!!!!!!!!!!!

Turtyturd

Napoli through, Chelsea just aint good enough, could be the CL match for a couple of years unless Roman gets the cheque book out.

Will I Amnt

Sgt Pepper 64 wrote: »

Whats with all the sad "English team in CL" haters?

How sad is that, I even cheered on Arsenal

Dont get that at all, but I bet a lot of them support their own British team

It's bitterness of the highest order and should only be responded to with this

GavRedKing

Cech
ivan luiz jt cole
lamps essien
ramires mata sturride
drogba

Hank Scorpio

gavredking wrote: »

Cech
ivan luiz jt cole
lamps essien
ramires mata sturride
drogba

Good attacking team, should be an exciting match!

Panthro

I'm hoping to see Chelsea give it their all, if it pays off then happy days, and if not, fair dues Napoli.
Said that, I'd say we can take em!:)

GavRedKing

nuxxx wrote: »

gavredking wrote: »

Cech
ivan luiz jt cole
lamps essien
ramires mata sturride
drogba

Good attacking team, should be an exciting match!

Thats got its plus and minus points though. If we go to all out they could easily pick us off and then it starts to look impossible.

Hank Scorpio

gavredking wrote: »

Thats got its plus and minus points though. If we go to all out they could easily pick us off and then it starts to look impossible.

Yeah totally agree with you. Maybe a more balanced team would be better and they could change things early if it wasn't going well, will be interesting to see if it backfires

GavRedKing

Well if the 4-2-3-1 doesnt work we can go 4-3-3 and be more rigid.

Main thing is to get a goal in the first 45 minutes and have something to work too in the 2nd half.

Boskowski

With all that's been going on I think what Chelsea need is a reaction from the team. With all excellent but somewhat 'settled' teams there is always going to be phases where things are looking a bit static and ideas are hard to come by and your players are in a bit of rut.
Chelsea certainly have it in them to come up with such a reaction. And they have an away goal and it's not like concede one and you're done done. If they can come out a bit they can reignite their season tonight.

Would love to see Torres score 2.

Lukker-

Hoping Lampard can pull some strings tonight from deep.

willmunny1990

Time to crack open the Heineken cans and start...

Hopefully by the end of the night i'll be drunk celebrating and not commiserating.:D

GavRedKing

I dont care who scores as long as we get the job done. We need intensity from the start and impose ourselves on Napoli.

CiaranC

Forza Azzuri