Napoli cruised through to the knockout stages of the European competition by winning their first five group games, while Frankfurt fought back on Group D’s final day to secure a second spot.
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Serie A leaders Napoli return to UEFA Champions League action on Tuesday, as they take on last year’s Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt in the first leg of their Last-16 tie at Deutsche Bank Park on Tuesday night. Both sides are heading into the match on the back of similar victories in their respective league fixtures last Saturday. The hosts secured a 2-0 Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen, while Napoli defeated Sassuolo in the Italian top flight, with an identical scoreline, on the same day. Napoli cruised through to the knockout stages of the European competition by winning their first five group games, while Frankfurt fought back on Group D’s final day to secure a second spot.
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💙 #ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/b00KpHQgHk
— Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) February 20, 2023
Frankfurt won their last two Champions League games to sneak through to the knockout stage. Their last European match was away to Sporting Lisbon which ended 2-1 in their favour, thanks to second-half strikes from Daichi Kamada and Randal Kolo Muani. Meanwhile, when it comes to the German top flight, Olivier Glasner’s side are occupying sixth spot in the standings, having collected 38 points from 21 games, just five adrift of the leaders Bayern Munich. The Eagles have lost only once in their last six league-games since the turn of the year. Last time out, Frankfurt got the better of Bremen, courtesy of Marco Friedl’s seventh-minute own goal, and second half effort from Muani.
Napoli, on the other hand, are in stunning form in the Serie A, having won seven consecutive games to extend their lead at the top of the table to 15 points. Luciano Spalletti’s side are well on their way to securing their first Scudetto since 1990. Last time, Partenopei defeated Sassuolo away from home, thanks to first-half efforts from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen. It was their 20th win in 23 league-games this season. Meanwhile, when it comes to the Champions League, the Blues racked up a whopping 20 goals in Group A, the most by any side in the group stage, to finish above Liverpool.
Frankfurt midfielder Eric Dina Edimbe is sidelined with an ankle injury, while the rest of the squad is fit and ready to go. Muani, who recorded 10 goals and 10 assists in his first Bundesliga season, will start up front, with Lindstorm and Gotze in support. As for Napoli, Osimhen will spearhead the attack, with Kvaratskhelia and Hirving Lozano in support. Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia have netted a combined total of 28 Serie A goals this season. Meanwhile, Giacomo Raspadori is nursing a muscular injury.
Eintracht Frankfurt probable line-up: Trapp, Smolcic, N’Dicka, Tuta, Buta, Kamada, Sow, Max, Lindstorm, Gotze, Kolo, Muani
Napoli Probable line-up: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Kim, Rahmani, Rui, Lobotka, Anguissa, Zielinski, Lozano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia
Eintracht Frankfurt
| Opponents | Score |
| Werder Bremen | 2-0 (W) |
| FC Koln | 3-0 (L) |
| Darmstadt | 4-2 (W) |
| Hertha Berlin | 3-0 (W) |
| Bayern Munich | 1-1 (D) |
Napoli
| Opponents | Score |
| Sassuolo | 0-2 (W) |
| Cremonese | 3-0 (W) |
| Spezia | 0-3 (W) |
| Roma | 2-1 (W) |
| Salernitana | 0-2 (W) |
| Last 2 match-results | Score |
| Frankfurt beat Napoli | 0-1 |
| Frankfurt beat Napoli | 1-0 |
The Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Napoli will take place at Deutsche Bank Park on Wednesday at 1:30 am IST.
| Frankfurt vs Napoli | Key Details |
| Date | February 21 (Germany) |
| Venue | Deutsche Bank Park |
| Kickoff time in Italy | 9:00 pm (Tuesday) |
| Kickoff time in Germany | 9:00 pm (Tuesday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Wednesday) |
The live telecast of the UEFA Champions League Matches in India is available on the Sony Sports network. Fans will also be able to watch the match on Sony Liv.
