Napoli host Chelsea at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Wednesday night with contrasting Champions League objectives at stake.
For Napoli, this is a defining moment. Sitting outside the top 24, Antonio Conte’s side require a victory to keep their European campaign alive and avoid elimination. Injuries and inconsistency have blunted their momentum, but Napoli remain difficult to contain at home, where results have generally held firm.
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Chelsea arrive in a stronger league-phase position and know that a positive result would secure automatic qualification for the round of 16. Since Liam Rosenior’s appointment, the Blues have shown greater balance and attacking depth, even if their away form remains uneven.
With pressure firmly on the hosts and Chelsea aiming to manage qualification rather than chase it, Wednesday’s clash is likely to be shaped by control, composure and fine margins.
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