NAPOLI v BORUSSIA DORTMUND: PROBABLE LINEUPS
Napoli (4-2-3-1): Reina – Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Zuniga – Inler, Behrami – Callejon, Hamsik, Pandev – Higuain.
Borussia Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Weidenfeller – Grosskreutz, Subotic, Hummels, Schmelzer – Bender, Sahin – Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan, Reus – Lewandowski.
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NAPOLI v BORUSSIA DORTMUND: TEAM FORM
Napoli
Sep 14, 2013 Napoli 2 - Atalanta 0 ITA1
Aug 31, 2013 Chievo 2 - Napoli 4 ITA1
Aug 25, 2013 Napoli 3 - Bologna 0 ITA1
Aug 9, 2013 Napoli 2 - Benfica 1 FR
Aug 4, 2013 Napoli 1 - Porto 3 FR
Borussia Dortmund
Sep 14, 2013 Borussia Dortmund 6 - Hamburg 2 GER1
Sep 1, 2013 Eintracht Frankfurt 1 - Borussia Dortmund 2 GER1
Aug 23, 2013 Borussia Dortmund 1 - Werder Bremen 0 GER1
Aug 18, 2013 Borussia Dortmund 2 - Eintracht Braunschweig 1 GER1
Aug 10, 2013 FC Augsburg 0 - Borussia Dortmund 4 GER1
Napoli play host to last year's beaten finalists in this Champions League group game. Both the Italians and the Germans have gotten off to a flying start in their respective league campaigns, but Wednesday's matchup will be the first test of their real potential this season.
Both sides have scored nine goals apiece in their last three games, so this tie should be anything but boring. There'll be no shortage of attacking talent on display, so the spoils will likely go to whichever side is better organised at the back.The southern Italians have had a change in management since last they featured in Europe's top competition, but with Rafa Benitez at the helm they're in experienced hands. The Spaniard knows how to handle European football better than almost any manager working in the game today, and has the spoils from spells at Valencia, Liverpool and Chelsea to prove it. Jurgen Klopp begins anew with Dortmund and will want a win to get this Champions League season off to the best possible start. The Germans have shown little sign of lingering disappointment from last season's final loss to Bayern Munich in the league, but it remains to be seen how they'll fare in continental competition having suffered such a demoralising defeat.Dortmund will know how valuable an intimidating home ground can be. Their Westfalenstadion is rightly regarded as one of Europe's great football grounds—but the Partenopei's San Paolo can more than match it for atmosphere. There's genuine excitement in Naples right now. Despite losing Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain and Walter Mazzarri to Inter, the Azzurri look more impressive than any time in recent memory. Benitez has settled in well, and the new recruits brought in on the back of Cavani's big-money move to France mean that the squad as a whole looks more balanced and complete. Being last season's Champions League runners up, Dortmund have to be the favourites for most games they'll play in Europe this term, but regular observers of Italian football will tell you Napoli are good enough to win and will expect to do as such.The Germans are still the better side, more complete and experienced. They'll most likely win the corresponding fixture later in the year. But at home in front of their uniquely passionate fans, Napoli are going to give some beating. This writer calls it at 2-1 to the Italians.
Match Schedule:
Competitor : Napoli vs Borussia
Series : UEFA Champions League
Play-Off :18:45 GMT, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2013
Stadio San Paolo