Match Previews

country flag Europa League Round Grp F (6)
Napoli vs. Real Sociedad
Thu 10 December 2020 17:55
Referee
Orel Grinfeld (Israel)
Weather at KO
weather icon Possible Light Rain  11oC | Precip: 36% (0.51 mm) | Wind 3.6 m/s
Travel Info
3 hours plane
Distance
1,785 KM
Venue
No Fans

Napoli

Last updated: Fri 11 December 2020 08:01
In Brief

Easy 4-0 away win over Crotone. Host Real Sociedad without Osimhen, Rrahmani and Hysaj.

Looking Back

Adopted a proactive attitude against Crotone and managed to take the lead, without dominating, though. Gone 1 man up right after the break, they had an easy life and scored at will.

Great performance for Insigne, who scored 1 and served 1 assist. Lozano was unstoppable in the second half. Demme did well in the middle of the park. Mertens came on and served 2 assists. Di Lorenzo had some problems in the first half.

Looking Ahead

Undefeated in the last 4 overall. Won 3 out of the last 4, without conceding in those 3. Never won more than 2 in a row. Will be hosting Real Sociedad, having won 4 and lost 3 at home, with 17 goals scored and 7 conceded overall.

Napoli are leading the Group F with a 2-point advantage over Real Sociedad and AZ Alkmaar. A draw will be sufficient for them to qualify to next stage of the competition. Even a defeat would do, if AZ do not win against Rijeka.

Osimhen is out.

Milik, Llorente and Malcuit are ineligible.

Rrahmani and Hysaj tested positive again to Covid 19 and are out.

Koulibaly is one yellow card away from suspension.

Ospina should be preferred to Meret in goals and Fabian to Demme in the midfield. Lozano represents the alternative to Politano on the wing.

Points of Interest

This is the first time ever Napoli host Real Sociedad. However, they hosted Spanish sides 8 times: they won 2 and drew 5, losing once (to Real Madrid).

Manager Comments

We have done important things. On the pitch we have 21 points, not a few.

Thursday we play the first goal of the season. Four days ago we were unable to take the victory home, on Thursday we will play something important against a very difficult opponent.

Tomorrow we play the first goal, we hope to see a great Napoli.

Zielinski can do that, the inside forward, everything, he has great qualities, he had difficulties after Covid, but the one we know is back. Let's see if he plays tomorrow and in what position, but we are happy with the whole team and tomorrow we need a great match in both phases.

Real Sociedad

Last updated: Fri 11 December 2020 08:01
In Brief

Sangalli, Guridi remain out injured. Oyarzabal, Illarramendi and Silva also missing. Elustondo back in training

Looking Back

Registered a fourth draw on the trot following a disappointing attacking display at Deportivo Alaves who held them to a 0-0 stalemate

Just one defeat in last 13 games in all competitions though it did come against Napoli in the Europa League

Looking Ahead

Sangalli and Guridi are both long term absentees and remain unavailable and though Illaramendi has returned to training, the midfielder also remains out injured

Oyarzabal and Silva both resumed light training but the game on Thursday comes too soon for the duo

Elustondo has overcome his knock that saw him sit out against Alaves and is in the squad

Points of Interest

Need to at least match AZ Alkmaar's result in order to progress to the knockout stages of the competition

Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
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Rested
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Suspended
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Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
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Rested
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Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Real Sociedad

Last updated: Fri 11 December 2020 08:01
In Brief

Sangalli, Guridi remain out injured. Oyarzabal, Illarramendi and Silva also missing. Elustondo back in training

Looking Back

Registered a fourth draw on the trot following a disappointing attacking display at Deportivo Alaves who held them to a 0-0 stalemate

Just one defeat in last 13 games in all competitions though it did come against Napoli in the Europa League

Looking Ahead

Sangalli and Guridi are both long term absentees and remain unavailable and though Illaramendi has returned to training, the midfielder also remains out injured

Oyarzabal and Silva both resumed light training but the game on Thursday comes too soon for the duo

Elustondo has overcome his knock that saw him sit out against Alaves and is in the squad

Points of Interest

Need to at least match AZ Alkmaar's result in order to progress to the knockout stages of the competition

Suspended
  • ---
Unavailable
Doubtful (chance of availability)
  • ---
Rested
  • ---
Probable Starting 11
Probable Bench

Key

Key players
Regular players
Support players
75% - Chance of availability
Artificial Pitch
Universal Player Grid
Squad Confirmed
Played in Cup fixture
New Information

Team Strength*

Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Just Adequate
Poor
*Based on Available Players
Game Score
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