Real Madrid v Napoli: reaction, analysis
Monday, December 12, 2016
Article summary
Napoli's former Real Madrid players Raúl Albiol and José Callejón will return to the Santiago Bernabéu when the Italian side take on the holders in the round of 16.
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Dates: 15 February, 7 March
Reaction
Emilio Butragueño, Real Madrid director: "We have the first game at home and we have to get a good result because we know the atmosphere that will await us over there. I remember playing Napoli in 1987 when Maradona was there. It was a very difficult game."
Key facts
- Real Madrid beat Napoli in the 1987/88 European Champion Clubs' Cup first round, winning 2-0 at home before a 1-1 draw in Italy.
- Madrid put out Roma at this stage of last season's competition, triumphing 2-0 both away and home.
- The Spanish side have lost to Italian opposition in the round of 16 before, going out 2-1 on aggregate to Juventus in 2004/05.
- Napoli defender Raúl Albiol joined from Real Madrid in 2013; he made 81 Liga appearances over four campaigns at the Santiago Bernabéu.
- José Callejón came through the ranks at Madrid, scoring eight goals in 55 league outings before moving on to Napoli in 2013.
- Napoli's UEFA Europa League campaign last term ended against Spanish opponents, the Serie A club succumbing to Villarreal in the round of 32.
- The Partenopei are without a victory in their last four games against Spanish teams.