Real Madrid and Napoli both picked up wins in their opening matchweek of the Champions League and now, these two giants will take on each other in matchweek two on Tuesday night.
Madrid regained the top spot on the La Liga table by beating Girona at the weekend while, on the other hand, Napoli have made a really poor mixed start to their campaign. They might be just four points off the top of the table but the defending Italian champions have already dropped points in three out of the seven matches they have played.
Based on current form, Real Madrid are the favourites to win on Tuesday night but this is an away game for them and Napoli have the legs to break open the Los Blancos defence. These two sides faced off against each other in the UCL round of 16 in 2017 and Madrid scored six and conceded only two goals in that two-legged tie.
Real Madrid’s team news and injuries:
Thibaut Courtois and Militao are both out until April with cruciate ligament injuries while Adra Guler is expected to make a comeback by the end of this month.
Antonio Rudiger escaped an injury during the Las Palmas gave and played the full 90 minutes against Girona but David Alaba could miss out against Napoli.
Alaba has sustained a groin injury but Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that the defender’s injury is not serious and he could be ready to face Napoli in midweek.
The manager told the press: “Yes, he has done the tests, he has a small problem, we hope to have him back for Tuesday (against Napoli).”
Camavinga played at left back on Saturday but vs Napoli, he will move into central midfield, alongside Tchouameni. Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are slowly being fazed out by the Real Madrid manager as Ancelotti builds up his new-look midfield and the Napoli game will be no different.
Camavinga and Tchouameni will play in the middle while Jude Bellingham operates in the more advanced role. The England international has been the star for Madrid this season and he’s already gotten seven goal contributions in just eight games.
The attacking department is the only area of concern for Carlo cause after Benzema’s departure, the manager has very limited options.
Joselu scored one and assisted one goal on Saturday against Girona but in the Napoli game, Rodrygo will most likely come into the side, partnering Vinicius Junior up front.
Real Madrid predicted line up vs Napoli:
Predicted Starting line up(4-3-1-2): Kepa; Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr.
