Key events
For Chelsea, Reece James looks to be playing centre-backwhile Napoli have only named five subs. Antonio Conte has selected Leonardo Spinazzola on the the right flank, with Mathías Olivera on the left of the traditional Conte 3-5-2. It looks as though Chelsea have matched them man for man.
A reminder that Napoli, despite their travails in this competition, have not lost at home for a year.
This game brings back memories of a Champions League classic. Recall John Terry directing the team from the sidelines after subbing himself off? To think he never became Chelsea manager, as once seemed his destiny.
So, no Cole Palmer starting for Chelsea. Romelu Lukaku is also on the bench, for Napoli against his old club.
The teams
Napoli XI: Meret; Good morning, Juan Jesus, McTominay, Olivera, Hojlund, Elmas, Di Lorenzo, Vergara, Spinazzola, Lobotka. Subs: Contini, Spinelli, Gutierrez, Lukaku, Beukema, De Chiara, Garofalo
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, James (C), Fofana, Cucurella, Caicedo, Andrey Santos, Estevao, Fernandez, Neto, Joao Pedro. Subs: Jorgensen, Merrick, Acheampong, Badiashile, Chalobah, Hato, Palmer, Gittens, George, Garnacho, Delap, Guiu
Here’s where the teams stand in the mega table, ahead of the final round.
Let’s not forget the permutations:
After edging past Pafos last week, Chelsea hold the final top-eight place but face a difficult trip to Antonio Conte’s Napoli, despite the Italian champions’ injury problems. A win in Naples should put Liam Rosenior’s side through to the last 16 but it may come down to goal difference. A draw or a defeat and, again, given the number of teams on 13 points, Chelsea would likely be condemned to the playoffs.
The overnight news from Naples was grim.
The big news of the day so far from Chelsea: Raheem Sterling was not on the flight.
Preamble
Antonio Conte was a popular Chelsea manager, and then he was no longer Chelsea manager. That’s the way it’s always gone during his coaching career, from Juventus to Italy to Chelsea to Inter to Tottenham (!?) and now Napoli, the trajectory is similar. There’s usually a kick against the suits and then a departure. Another constant is a ruinous record in Europe despite being such a capable coach. Napoli, the Serie A champions no less, are in 25th place and need a win to make the knockouts. Chelsea, for whom Liam Rosenior is the seventh manager since Conte turned up for training in the summer of 2018 and found himself replaced by Maurizio Sarri, are in eighth and probably need a win to escape what they’re calling the “punishment round”. All to play for the in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Join me. Kick-off is 8pm UK time.
