Ultra impressive Napoli looking to seal Europa League progress

They boast both the competition’s best attack and defence and will go through as group winners if they overcome Midtjylland once more, this time at the Stadio San Paolo

Napoli, the highest scorers in this season’s Europa League group stages, can make sure of their place in the round of 32 with a win over Midtjylland on Thursday.

Having won all three of their games so far in convincing fashion, a repeat performance of their 4-1 thrashing of the Danes away from homewould see them reach the knockout stages of a competition they reached the final four in last season.

As well as being the Europa League’s best team in front of goal, averaging 3.67 goals per game, Napoli also have the meanest defence. Along with PAOK, they are the only teams so have let in a solitary goal in over 280 minutes of action so far.

The Partenopei, one of only three teams to have a 100 percent record in the tournament, will top the group with a win and will qualify even if they fail to pick up the three points, provided the game between Club Brugge and Legia Warsaw ends in a draw.

Injuries and Suspensions

As has so often been the case with the Azzurri in this season’s competition, Maurizio Sarri will use the match as a chance to shuffle his pack somewhat, ahead of Sunday’s Serie A fixture against Udinese.

The former Empoli coach will not risk Dries Mertens against the Danes after he strained his right thigh in their 0-0 draw away to Genoa last weekend.

Allan is set to be the only other absentee as the hard-working Brazilian will be rested for the fixture and replaced in midfield by David Lopez.

History

Napoli’s 4-1 win in Denmark was the only previous meeting of the sides in any fixture and was the Italian side’s second win against opposition from the Scandinavian nation.

In 1966, they eliminated Odense from the Fairs Cup, while in their meeting with Midtjylland two weeks ago, it was only the second time the Danes have conceded four goals at home in Europe.

Midtjylland will be boosted by their good away form on the road though, having scored in their last 10 European games, which have yielded seven victories and only two defeats but Napoli are unbeaten in their last 14 home matches in continental competition with 10 wins and four draws.

Player to Watch: Manolo Gabbiadini

The former Sampdoria forward will likely get another chance to impress against the Ulvene, as he did in the first leg.

He has found opportunities hard to come by this season and there is speculation that he could choose to leave in an attempt to find first team football in January but he was at the top of his game in Dermark, scoring his first two goals in Europe.

nguon: gazzettaworld.gazzetta

Napoli 5-0 FC Midtjylland: Partenopei Breeze Into Europa League Knockout Stages

Napoli confirmed their place in the Round of 32 of the Europa League with a resounding 5-0 win at home to FC Midtjylland with goals from Omar El Kaddouri, a double fromManolo Gabbiadini, Christian Maggio andJose Callejon.

Maurizio Sarri opted to rest several first team players including Gonzalo Higuain ahead of their match against Udinese at the weekend.

The home side threatened early on with El Kaddouri and Lorenzo Insigne going close to gifting the Partenopei the lead.

It took only 13 minutes however for the home team to break the deadlock as Insigne’s pass found El Kaddouri and the Moroccan international was able to beat goalkeeper Andersen with a left footed shot.

Sarri’s men kept bombarding the away side’s goal and doubled their lead on 23 minutes when Insigne’s shot was saved by Andersen but Gabbiadini was in the right place at the right time to tuck the ball into the back of the net.

Napoli continued to keep possession with Midtjylland putting men behind the ball.

The third goal came seven minutes before half time when Ivan Strinic crossed the ball from the left hand side and the ball eventually made its way to Gabbiadini for his second consecutive brace in Europa League matches.

The second half was a case of more of the same for the Azzurri and they made it 4-0 with a galloping run from Christian Maggio all the way into the box and a shot that beat Andersen on 55 minutes

Midfielder Allan could have added a fifth minutes later but his shot from distance was saved by Andersen.

Substitute Callejon made it 5-0 with a near post header from a Mirko Valdifiori header.

Napoli’s victory means they maintain their 100% record in the group and comfortably qualify for the Round of 32.

nguon:  forzaitalianfootball