Champions League news: troubled Napoli staring at exit against Chelsea

1. Conte faces crunch in midst of ‘emergency’

Napoli are on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League as the troubled Italian club face Chelsea on Wednesday, racked by a deep injury crisis and a faltering Serie A title defence. Sat just inside the elimination zone on only eight points from seven matches after last week’s miserable 1-1 draw at Copenhagen, Napoli must beat Chelsea to scrape a place in next month’s playoffs.

That will be no easy task with Chelsea, Antonio Conte’s former club, needing a win to stay in the top eight and bag direct qualification for the last 16. And Napoli come into the game still stinging from a 3-0 defeat at Juventus which left the Italian champions nine points behind the current Serie A leaders, Inter.

Sunday’s loss in Turin was a slap in the face for Napoli and Juve icon Conte, who was full of praise for his players who have had to dig deep in the face of a host of injuries. “For us [injuries are] something that we have to accept, it’s a difficult situation which is not easy to manage,” said Scott McTominay. “It’s difficult for the staff and the players to continue with that rhythm.

“But it’s part of the game, you have to accept it, you have to turn up as often as you can for the ones that are ready and prepared to play. Tomorrow night the absolute maximum of our level of performance is going to be required.”

Conte has lost the first-choice goalkeeper, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, to a hamstring injury while the winger David Neres flew to London for ankle surgery on Monday which will likely keep him out until April. Kevin De Bruyne has been out since October and won’t be back until the spring after surgery on his right hamstring, while another key midfielder in Frank Anguissa was supposed to be back on Sunday from another hamstring injury but was left out due to back problems.

“I challenge anyone to find me a team which has had all of these problems, because we’re still only halfway through the season,” Conte told reporters on Tuesday. “We started with the idea that the emergency would finish, the problem is that the emergency hasn’t finished, in fact it’s got worse.

“The boys are doing something incredible which is going unnoticed because of where we are in the league and results. I honestly believe that if we started the season a month ago saying that this was the squad for the season, you’d say: ‘You’re going nowhere’. But we’re still here, fighting and with our heads held high.” Reuters

2. Flick targets top-eight spot for Barça

Barcelona welcome Copenhagen, knowing a top-eight finish and direct ticket to the last 16 are on the line in their final group fixture. Hansi Flick’s side moved up to ninth on 13 points after last week’s dramatic comeback win at Slavia Prague, leaving them level with seven other sides battling for a top-eight finish, suggesting goal difference is likely to be a major factor in deciding the final placings.

Their Danish visitors, who are 26th and currently in the elimination zone on eight points, will hope to secure a playoff spot, being tied with four other teams targeting a top-24 finish. Barça’s task has grown in difficulty as they prepare to navigate the match without two key midfielders. Creative linchpin Pedri is sidelined with a muscle injury sustained against Slavia, which will keep him out for several weeks, while Frenkie de Jong is suspended.

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Flick acknowledged the challenge of the crucial fixture, but expressed optimism about his squad’s depth and determination. “I hope the team is feeling good and confident,” said Flick. “We have to respect Copenhagen. The most important thing is that we do our job and play at our best. It won’t be an easy match. The goal is to finish in the top eight.

“We’re concentrating on our own game, on what we have to do. This is the Champions League and it’s about reaching our highest level. We’ll have a tough game, and we won’t make excuses. We’re eager and confident in our style of play.” Addressing Barcelona’s weakened midfield, he added: “We have a good team, also on the bench. We play as a team, and we’re eager to compete. It’s very important for us. That’s what I want to see.” Reuters