Not as in depth as the preview to Milan - Arsenal last week, this post will briefly look at some of the key issues and individuals in this evenings clash in Naples.
Napoli on the counter
Few teams in Europe break as quickly or as effectively as Napoli, so Chelsea will have to guard against it, particularly with the second leg to come at Stamford Bridge. Manchester City struggled against Walter Mazzari's side in the group stages partly as a result of offensively minded full backs being caught high up the pitch. With this in mind both Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic will have to be aware of the dangers when they push on and Andre Villas-Boas may well ask that if one full back does push up the other stay deeper. However if the full backs do play more conservatively then Chelsea's chronic lack of natural width will be even more evident.
Pressing
Both teams have looked to pressurise teams high up the pitch this season, with dramatically different results. Whilst Napoli are used to it, with players and a system that is suited to such a strategy, Chelsea are not. In recent weeks the Blue's pressing and high line has been less evident (ironic given John Terry's absence) but were they to resort to it tonight it could make for a chaotic but entertaining affair. Expect Napoli to press high early on, in an attempt to gain control of the game.
Key clashes
Edison Cavani vs David Luiz & Gary Cahill
One of Europe's most prolific forwards against a brand new defensive pairing who have both struggled individually this season against far lesser players. Cavani is similar in some ways to the great Raul, in the sense he does not have one 10/10 attribute, but is simply 9.5 at everything. His quick movement and telepathic understanding with the other members of the "Three Tenors" (Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik) will test this new Chelsea defence but if they can neutralise Cavani a significant goal threat will dissapear.
Gohkan Inler vs Juan Mata
Inler's form has been up and down this season but he has generally saved his best performances for the Champions League. Mata has settled in brilliantly and is already established as Chelsea's leading creative spark. Although he will nominally line up on the left, he will drift infield often attempting to find space in more dangerous areas. When he does, it will be the Swiss enforcers job to prevent the Spaniard from cutting open Napoli's back three, which can become exposed when games become too open.
Ezequiel Lavezzi vs Branislav Ivanovic
As mentioned before Ivanovic must remain disciplined tonight such is the threat posed by Napoli on the counter, however any width Chelsea do have on the right hand side must come from the Serb. Tonight he comes up against a man who is as talented as anyone in Serie A. Lavezzi will look to come inside onto his right foot but is equally comfortable going on the outside. He has already assisted three goals in the UCL so far this season and how Ivanovic deals with the gifted Argentine, in particular in deciding how far infield he tracks him, will certainly be a critical feature of tonight's clash.
Prediction 3:1 (with Chelsea to progress over the two legs)
Comments? Views? Please add them below.
Please follow Game Ramble Weekly on Twitter @gamerambleweekly
No comments:
Post a Comment