| Goals | Goals |
|---|---|
| 22. Ezequiel Lavezzi (38’) | 10. Juan Mata (27’) |
| 7. Edinson Cavani (45 + 1’) | |
| 22. Ezequiel Lavezzi (65’) |
180 minutes separate Napoli and Chelsea
Napoli and Chelsea will begin their push for Champions League success when the pair meets at the San Paolo Stadium on Tuesday evening in the first leg of their last 16 clash.
The constantly surprising Italian outfit has already accounted for one English powerhouse this year and is hoping to do a double when they welcome Andre Villas-Boas’ men to the toughest part of Italy.
Having knocked out Manchester City and Villareal in the group stages, Walter Mazzarri will be hoping that their impressive home form will be too much handle for the Blues.
The Partenopei welcomed their return into Champions League football after 13 years. The Azzurri possess and impressive home record as they have gone unbeaten at home in their last 11 matches, Eintracht Frankfurt the last victorious side in Naples.
"It will be a great match. The challenge of the year," noted Napoli’s Marek Hamsik.
"Forus it is very important to come back in the Italian Cup semifinal against Siena, but the ChampionsLeague is fascinating. It will be a great celebration for our fantastic fans, as will for us."
While Chelsea have only come out victorious once in seven visits to Italy, they will be hoping that the absence of coach Mazzarri on the sidelines will somewhat weaken their adversaries.
Mazzarri was handed a two match ban for shoving Nilmar on the sidelines during the match against Villareal, in which he failed at his appeal to see the suspension reduced. However, the Stamford Bridge outfit is not without their own troubles as they have failed to instill a consistent run of results this term.
"This is the hardest season forme since I arrived here," Didier Drogba told calcionews24.it
"Players and fans are accustomed to occupying one of the first two positions,but this year everything is different. When you're ambitious, it is difficult to do otherwise.
"For Villas Boas it is not easy, but he is not the only one in charge here, we all are…"
On domestic level both teams have failed to produce the football the fans know they are capable of, undoubtedly making Tuesday night’s affair even more crucial in hope that their fans will not jump ship for their league woes.
It will be the first intercontinental meeting between the two teams with only 180 minutes dividing the winner from the loser as they prepare for kick-off at 21:45 on Tuesday evening.
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