Napoli v Dnipro: reporters' view

Strengths
Paolo Menicucci: Gonzalo Higuaín is in fantastic form but he is not the only reason for Napoli's attacking strength. Creative and dynamic players such as Marek Hamšík, Dries Mertens, Jonathan de Guzmán, Manolo Gabbiadini, José María Callejón and Lorenzo Insigne – recently recovered from a serious knee injury – give Rafael Benítez plenty of options when it comes to deciding which three to deploy between the lines and behind Higuaín in his 4-2-3-1 system.

Igor Linnyk: This is Dnipro's best season in 25 years, Myron Markevych – at the helm since last summer – making light of injuries and player departures. With the team third in the Ukrainian Premier-Liha, a point behind FC Shakhtar Donetsk (whom they meet in the Ukrainian Cup semi-finals), there is a feeling the momentum is with them going into their first UEFA semi-final. The 64-year-old coach knows how to get the most out of his players on the big occasion; is this their moment?

Weaknesses
Paolo Menicucci: Napoli have scored more than two goals per game in their UEFA Europa League campaign and have netted 57 times in Serie A. At the other end, however, the Partenopei have shipped 39 goals in 32 domestic league outings, more than any side occupying the first nine positions in Serie A.

Igor Linnyk: Dnipro have committed more fouls (199) and received more yellow cards (43) than any other club in this season's UEFA Europa League, and any suspensions would be a big blow to a squad already shorn of Ukrainian international Roman Zozulya through injury. Having won nothing of note in recent times, Dnipro also lack pedigree.

Form
Paolo Menicucci: Inconsistency has been a problem for Napoli this term. However, the Partenopei seem to have hit peak form when it matters most. Not only have they eliminated VfL Wolfsburg with a convincing 6-3 aggregate triumph in the last round, but they have also won three in a row in Serie A, plundering ten goals in the process and moving three points off second spot.

Igor Linnyk: Judicious squad rotation has left Dnipro in good shape, with Markevych having plenty of tried-and-tested back-up options in most positions. Key man Yevhen Konoplyanka is also approaching his best form, having shown what he is capable of against AFC Ajax and Club Brugge KV this spring.

Knockout pedigree
Paolo Menicucci: Napoli are involved at this stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since lifting the UEFA Cup in 1989 during the Diego Maradona era. Meanwhile, coach Benítez – who has won the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League twice, plus the UEFA Champions League – is a master when it comes to knockout ties.

Igor Linnyk: While Markevych got to the quarter-finals as FC Metalist Kharkiv coach in 2011/12, he and Dnipro are newcomers at this level – though they twice reached the last eight of the European Champion Clubs' Cup.

One to watch
Paolo Menicucci: Higuaín has scored 26 goals in all competitions this term but the 27-year-old is also contributing in terms of assists and leadership. "He is by far the best player in Serie A," said former Croatian international Zvonimir Boban, now a television pundit in Italy. "He is a powerful striker with the class and vision of a No10. He is a complete player, a privilege for the Italian league."

Igor Linnyk: Goalkeepr Denys Boyko recently made his Ukraine debut and is full of confidence after registering clean sheets in four of Dnipro's six knockout games. What's more, Napoli may have their eye on Konoplyanka – who has the unusual honour of being this tournament's most fouled player – which could leave extra space for free-kick specialist Ruslan Rotan to exploit.

Prediction
Paolo Menicucci: The 4-1 victory at Wolfsburg in their quarter-final first leg sent a strong message to the whole of Europe. Napoli have so far mustered 25 goals in their campaign to Dnipro's 11 while also conceding two fewer than their rivals. Statistics make Napoli clear favourites to proceed to the final, yet the likes of Olympiacos FC, Ajax and Clube Brugge have learnt it can be dangerous to underestimate Dnipro.

Igor Linnyk: If they can handle the pressure, Dnipro can be a match for anyone. They beat Napoli 3-1 at home in the 2012/13 group stage; a repeat of that result would put them in very good stead indeed.

Possible starting XI
Napoli: Andújar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; Inler, David López; Insigne, Hamšík, Gabbiadini; Higuaín.

Dnipro: Boyko; Fedetskiy, Douglas, Cheberyachko, Léo Matos; Kankava, Rotan, Fedorchuk, Luchkevych, Konoplyanka; Kalinić.

Denys Boyko is a key man for Dnipro©Getty Images