Napoli v Wolfsburg preview
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Article summary
Leading 4-1, SSC Napoli were all smiles on Wednesday but Rafael Benítez warns they underestimate VfL Wolfsburg at their peril – just ask FC Bayern München.
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Article body
• Rafael Benítez warns that Wolfsburg have the firepower to mount a comeback
• Napoli won the first leg 4-1, Wolfsburg's heaviest home defeat in Europe
• Dieter Hecking: "I believe in miracles but Wolfsburg must be perfect"
• André Schürrle and top scorer Kevin De Bruyne ruled out for the visitors
• The semi-final draw takes place at 12.00CET on Friday, streamed live here
Possible lineups
Napoli: Andujar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; López, Inler; Gabbiadini, De Guzman, Mertens; Zapata.
• Out: Zúñiga (knee), Michu (knee), Maggio (flu)
Wolfsburg: Benaglio; Träsch, Knoche, Naldo, Rodriguez; Guilavogui, Luiz Gustavo; Caliguri, Arnold, Perišić; Dost.
• Out: Schürrle (shoulder), De Bruyne (foot), Hunt (knee), Vieirinha (ill)
Rafael Benítez, Napoli coach
We know only too well that Wolfsburg are a very good team: they scored four goals against Bayern [in January]. We have to play as well as we did in Germany. Our opponents have formidable forwards and we have to keep an eye on them.
The club, the players and me have the same aim – we want to win, nothing else. Winning this competition would be significant because it would mean qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League.
I'm just focused on this club. When I was at Chelsea, I knew they were lining up another coach to replace me, but we still won the UEFA Europa League and finished third in the Premier League. The important thing is to concentrate on the task at hand.
Dieter Hecking, Wolfsburg coach
Obviously the result in Wolfsburg doesn't give us much room for optimism. We have a few players missing but we have an excellent squad. We are a very good team and we are able to score at any moment against any team. We can do it, but we have to be honest: it's going to be really difficult. We will do our best.
We have to avoid even the little mistakes. We can play a good match, but we could pay dearly for any slip-ups. We have hope and we will hold onto it until the very last minute. Football is beautiful and it allows miracles to happen; if Napoli aren't so focused and we play particularly well, then why not? Anything is possible.
Weekend results
Wolfsburg 1-1 FC Schalke 04 (De Bruyne 78; Sané 53)
Cagliari Calcio 0-3 Napoli (Callejón 24, Antonio Balzano og 45+1, Gabbiadini 59)
Form guide (all competitions, most recent first)
Napoli: WWWLLD
Wolfsburg: DLWWWD
Match fact
Of the sides that started out in the group stage, Napoli have conceded the fewest goals in their 11 matches – five – which amounts to 0.45 goals per game, or one every 198 minutes. Find out more in our extensive match background.