Probable Lineups
Probable Lineups Statistical Comparison
* Values in brackets (x) are overall player statistics in Europa League Final Stages.
Missing Players
Wolfsburg
Napoli
Player | Reason | Status | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Aaron Hunt | Out | 7.05 |
Player | Reason | Status | Rating |
---|---|---|---|
Michu | Out | 6.44 | |
Ivan Strinic | Out | N/A |
Team News
Wolfsburg
Napoli
- Dieter Hecking is without only Aaron Hunt for the welcome of Napoli.
- Luiz Gustavo was suspended for the weekend win over Hamburg, but could come in here in place of Maximilian Arnold.
- Elsewhere, Hecking may opt against making wholesale changes for this fixture.
- Rafa Benitez must make do without the injured Michu for the trip to Bundesliga side Wolfsburg.
- Ivan Strinic is ineligible, so Faouzi Ghoulam should start at left-back.
- Marek Hamsik and Lorenzo Insigne are both pushing for starts, but may be forced to settle for spots on the bench once more.
Napoli played a 4-2-3-1 that really suits their players strengths. Napoli were very well orgamixed and restricted Wolfsburg usual fluid fast possession football. This was typified through the defensive prowess of Napoli's back four as well as Inler and Lopez restricting the space in front of them. This nullified the threat of De Bruyne, Caliguri, Dost, Schurlle & Luis Gustavo. Napoli's low block allowed them space and time to exploit Wolfsburg when they recovered possession. The pace and directness of Callejon, Hamsik, Mertens (Insigne when he came on) and class of Higuian was to much for the Wolfsburg. Maggio & Ghoulam supported well in the wide areas. The defensive and attacking qualities, speed and work rate from Napoli was first class. A perfect away performance in Europe.
never predicted this result. What happened i was actually for Wolfsburg. Though it should not suprising to say the least. Wolfburgs when they huge possesion against the team that are good in counter attacks like Napoli (though they are also adept possession football as well.) they really tend to suffer bad. That also happened agaist everton. The only reason i think inter lost was becoz they wanted to dominate possesion wolfsburg which became their undoing. But wolfburg man i really wanted them to win. Wolfsburg can always suprise heh facepalm.
well thats all german sides out of europe now, unless munich spring a suprise
Not sure it woud be a massive surprise if they managed to win 2-0 at home... Generally they destroy teams in Munich.
As an inter fan i am very happy. It's like a revenge. This again proves the real quality of seriea .
@inter77 inter fault was the it tried to dominate possesion. Both everton and napoli forgo their possesion game in favour of hurting wolves on the counter attack.
A lot of people I know picked Napoli to win the Europa, as did I- and I haven't seen anything to really change my mind. When their attackers get it right, they're a real handful, their sitting midfield and their defence are more than good enough at this level. I think Raul Albiol is especially under-rated. Modern football is predominantly attack and it seems so many people (managers and fans alike) are unable to see what actually constitutes a good defender (and indeed a good defensive setup) but put Albiol in a good setup and he will rarely let you down with game-losing individual errors like what I call the "shirt-selling" defenders. As for Benitez, he was constantly taken the mick out of over here even though his Liverpool team played more than the sum of it's parts. Why he would want to come back here is anyone's guess, especially since Napoli have huge potential. Klopp will likely be at City and I doubt Liverpool will sack Rodgers so he may've timed his leave a season early.
@SteveHyland I dont hate napoli but I do hate higuin and also your precious palacio they cost argentina thw world cup,and it still hurts even now
@kaneki10- I'm not a Napoli fan. Actually support Arsenal, but we've played Napoli a couple of times and have been impressed, especially at their place. Extremely difficult ground to go to. It was more than just Higuain and Palacio that cos Argetina the world cup. They had to rely on (possibly) the best player of all-time to bail them out in games long before that match so just getting to the final for a team playing far less than the sum of their parts was an achievement.
@kaneki10 but higuain is one the best attackers in the world man. I know he misfired both him and palacios. But higuain can walk into any team. That can has link up play, crossing, dribbling, finishing and strength and speed. What more can u want from a number 9. He benzema and Lewandowski are the most complet striker in the world.
@Ffaris- Lewandowski doesn't have speed, not in the true sense. He's not slow but I wouldn't term him a "fast" striker more a striker with clever positioning so he never leaves himself too much space to make up in order to get a one-on-one. You missed Diego Costa too. He's a detestable player with his on-field antics but there's no denying he is pure class as a number 9. His goals per shots ratio is up there with Messi and I don't see much in his game that, when fit, says he wont be able to continue that goal scoring ratio into his 30's- in any league.
@SteveHyland Money. Klopp wants to go to the premier league primarily because of the pay, but also because English is his second best language.
@SteveHyland All true, but I don't think Benitez is fond of the Italian press either (few are), and the President is a bit of a busybody, like most Serie A presidents. City are a big temptation, good as Napoli are.
@dSquib In all honesty there is no press in the world that are great for managers. If u want docile press it would only be found in malta and faroe island lol.
@Ffaris- That's true, no press (particularly the tabloids- by tabloids I mean the style of journalism not necessarily the paper size) of the big sporting countries is good but our's is by far the worst media (including tv) in world sport though. Think of America's and add that to Australia's and that's England's. Germany's is about the best, although my German isn't amazing so maybe I missed out on some of the colour in their rhetoric.
@SteveHyland Klopp would be naive to go to a club with no passion and history. He would be termed as money-h*e if he does that. He doesnt like bland clubs too. He better go to Liverpool , Valencia or Marseille.
@John_Wick- Oh for sure, I think there are better clubs than City for Klopp- he too might've timed his exit a season early, but it looks highly likely that's where he's going and City, as much as one hates them, they have some world class players already (obviously) and with their financial power can sign players that will make them a prem and CL contender- even with the FFP.
@John_Wick well wat say is true with clubs like valencia or Marseille(even a legend like Bielsa is managing it) and i agree wid u 100 percent. But then the money makes the mare go so the man city do have money . Though i would wanted Klopp to manage either Mialanese club both Intermilan and Ac Milan both had good youth acadmey that are shambles becoz none the manager are willing to bet on their youth. So i really want Klopp to manage these sleeping giants think of the potential. But it is likely he will go to man city. But milanese clubs man that would great combo.
Welldone napoli !
Bendtner's 1 goal counts 4 so Wolfsburg won this one.
Benitez just has a way. . . So much more accomplished in European tournaments than domestically.
Congratulations for napole.
Why Bendtner is always starting from bench? I mean he's a Lord no doubt but he's a good striker and provides goals when given a chance. Dost is not even a one season or one round wonder, he's a 5 match wonder. Half season on bench, 5 good matches and no plays shiiite. Wolfsburg should get a decent striker or trust in Lord.
Why the error for Bengalio? If it was for the header that skimmed by his foot there was nothing he could really do about it, his momentum was shifted the completely other way.
ALL HAIL THE LORD. Bendtner.
Well WS you couldn't have got that prediction much more wrong if you tried
@solomon.brett.5 well nobody could have predicted this scoreline...
Higuain's goal seemed offside.
De Bruyne will score twice. And Higuain 1 time for Napoli.
Bast Dost and Naldo will score,Wolfsburg will win 2-1.
Napoli will struggle for sure but second leg is at home with huge win to progress up to next round.....
3-0 Wolfsburg win.
@Schnitzler hahahahahaha
Draw, maybe...
Napoli do struggle away from home in Europe, but read the top teams who have visited Naples in the last few years and they struggle in Naples. I think Napoli are better technically, but are running recently in poor form and the question is - can they show their ability beyond their current form? Not sure. Both similar teams - both attacking. Napoli are fast on the counter, and Everton proved you can pick Wolfsburg apart by playing a certain game. I think historically it suggests Wolfsburg will not lose here, but for me, if this game is close in Germany, then Wolfsburg may just be spooked at San Paolo, as Chelsea, Man City, Bayern, Liverpool, Dortmund, Arsenal, Marseille have been over the last few years. Napoli have the more experienced coach, but that does not qualify automatic wins because Wolfsburg are an excellent side. A win for Wolfsburg but this game may go down to the wire.
@calciozucchini well man u should be happy ur team won where as mine lost miserably. :) Honestly never expected this result.
@calciozucchini Gargano is not injured. Strinic, I believe is not available for Europe games because he has already played this season with another team in Europe.
Draw is possible here
Wolfsburg - Napoli 3:0
@kraken dang it man. I was hoping for the same thing. But that counter attack game. Dang why did hecking did not make appropriate strategy to stop this?
2:2 - MoM Mertens
Forza Napoli!! Their season has been so up and down that it's hard to predict what they will do.
Dead end for Napoli.
2-0
1-2. Predict Benitez to master this one and indeed win the EL before leaving for (maybe) Man City.
@dSquib Napoli is too poor away, and Wolfsburg is a killing machine home, so good luck with your bet :)
@MARAN ahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
@MARAN I make no bets... and I retract the leaving for City part, since Klopp is now more likely.
@MARAN i somehow think napoli will be in the semi finals.. so wont be surprised with a draw in this game