Napoli vs. Eintracht Frankfurt Preview
Get ready for a clash with a bit of history! Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt are no strangers, having met four times before in European football's last 16. The German side came out on top in both legs of their 1995 UEFA Cup tie, but Napoli got their revenge last season, winning both matches in the 2022-23 Champions League.
The most recent encounter was a statement 3-0 home win for Napoli, a result that knocked Frankfurt out of the competition. That victory matches Napoli's second-biggest ever home win in the Champions League, only behind a 4-0 thrashing of Genk.
Frankfurt will be hoping to break a worrying trend against Italian opposition. They've lost their last three games against Serie A sides without scoring a single goal. Before this slump, they were a tough opponent, losing just two of their first 11 matches against Italian teams.
Tactical Tidbits & Key Men:
Napoli's Leaky Defense: Napoli's defense has been surprisingly vulnerable, conceding 9 goals this season. They're also facing a high volume of shots (16.7 per game), which is a cause for concern.
Frankfurt's Goal Frenzy: Buckle up, this could be a high-scoring affair! Frankfurt's three UCL games this season have all ended 5-1. They are the first team in the competition's history to see their first three games all feature 6 or more goals.
Fortress Napoli: However, Napoli are incredibly strong at home. They've only lost one of their last 18 Champions League matches at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, scoring in each of their last 21 home games in the competition.
Frankfurt's Defensive Worry: Frankfurt's defense is a major red flag, having conceded five goals in each of their last two UCL matches. No team has ever done this in three consecutive games.
Manager's Corner: Napoli boss Antonio Conte has a mixed UCL record this season but is unbeaten in his two previous personal duels with Frankfurt.
One to Watch: Keep an eye on Napoli's Scott McTominay, who scored a brace in their last match. For Frankfurt, the legendary Mario Götze continues to be a creative force, recently becoming just the eighth German player to rack up 15 Champions League assists.
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