Within the last decade of European soccer, there has been zero Italian clubs that have been able to reclaim the most prestigious trophy in continental soccer; the Champions League. The last Serie A side to claim the throne was Inter Milan in that legendary game in 2010 vs Bayern Munich in the Santiago Bernabèu. Since then, only Juventus have come close to having the title within their grasp, falling twice in finals against Barcelona and Real Madrid.
However, this time around, Italy has a strong case for bringing the UCL back to its home grounds. Napoli has been one of the most refreshing clubs this season, trailblazing their way through teams, all the way from the group stage. Not only did they finish first in their group, but they’re also on track to win the Scudetto in the Serie A for the first time since 1990, winning it with Argentine icon Diego Maradona. If they were to win the UCL, it’d be the first in their history. Napoli sit at the foothill of winning two hugely important titles, and at the foundation of a possibly historic season for The Blues.
The Stars of the Show
Napoli coach Luciano Spalletti has elevated the status of this team across all competitions. Napoli sit with 68 points in the Serie A, a staggering 18 points clear of runner-ups Inter Milan. The Italian veteran comes with years of experience, coaching other Italian clubs like Roma and Inter Milan. He has more than 10 years of experience in the Champions League, taking Roma to the quarter-finals in 2008.
The most jarring statistic, however, is the number of goals Gli Azzurri has scored this season; 60 in Serie A and 22 in the UCL. That is in huge part to Napoli’s stellar front three. Georgian sensation Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has been the breakout star sensation, scoring 13 goals across Serie A and UCL. Paired with Nigerian referent Victor Oshimen and Mexican poster boy Hirving Lozano have been the right combinations to make Napoli the lethal force they are.
On the backline, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Kim Min-Jae are crucial for Napoli’s season-low record of 16 goals conceded. This makes them a formidable opponent for any club that can draw with Napoli in the knockout stages.
At the halfway mark
Napoli have one foot in the door in the UCL quarter-finals. They lead Frankfurt in their UCL Round of 16 tie by 2-0, with one leg left pending in Naples. From there, Napoli’s resolve is put to the test, as the quarter-finals are where it gets tough. With clubs like Bayern Münich, Chelsea and Serie A rivals Milan qualified, Napoli will be competing with the highest level of European soccer.