We need to take 1st. Looking at the other groups, finishing 2nd would make it very hard to progress past r16
We dominated Rangers and had Kvara, Osimhen, Zielinski, and Anguissa all on the bench with Rrhamani still out injured. There was even a 10 minute spell where Gaetano, Zerbin, and Zanoli were on at the same time. I have to say Gaetano and Zerbin look so raw but at 22/23 they have their entire career ahead. They bring energy and at the very least will pick up winning habits. I like Zanoli, his only problem is having Di Lorenzo ahead of him. Spalletti seems to have brought the best out of everyone.
If we take first spot we won’t play the three hardest teams that finish second. Inter, Milan, Liverpool. The only hard team we can face is Benfica.
Gaetano has talent. I am not convinced by Zerbin. Zanoli is great going forward. The problem is his positioning.
We'll be underdogs and I think If I were to put a percentage on it I'd say around 15-20%. I don't know what their injury situation looks like but regardless it's Anfield on a Champions League night. Anfield is just one of those places no matter the state of the team you can't expect to come away with anything from the game.
You’re probably right but a few seasons ago you tied them 1-1 in Anfield, and Liverpool were a much stronger team back then. Perhaps you guys might’ve been as well, but this team looks really strong.
Rumored: Napoli (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Kim, Ostigard, Olivera, Lobotka, Ndombele, Zielinski; Kvaratskhelia, Osimhen, Politano. This is the biggest test of the season as far as character goes. We can put a big exclamation point on our season with a win here.
Liverpool scared to commit too many forward, and Napoli playing low risk as well. Both teams seem content so far.
It seemed both teams were looking past this game. Liverpool saw a tiny crack in the door and tried to push through even though they knew it was futile. I’m not happy with a result as a win here would have put a nice cherry on the cake of a great opening round. But we need to focus on Atalanta now
The important thing is we topped the group. I wish we would've rotated a little more but given the circumstances I understand we could not afford to slip up. I don't understand why Spaletti doesn't give Elmas more playing time. He is technically very sound and calm under pressure. It would be a relief to Lobotka/Zielinski if he could build up some proper form. With no World Cup for him he needs to get some minutes in.
Maybe it's just me but I'm not a big fan of Elmas. I do think he should have more time but I'm just not that impressed when I see him out there. Like Lozano, I can't really see what it is he brings. Also, Politano was the worst player on the field last night for us. Completely forgot he was playing for large parts of the game. He just didn't seem interested.
I expect this will be the draw for the Knockouts! Calling it now: Liverpool vs Real Madrid PSG vs Chelsea Borussia Dortmund vs Benfica Inter Milan vs Tottenham Hotspur RB Leipzig vs Napoli Eintracht Frankfurt vs Man City Milan vs Porto Club Brugge vs Bayern Munich
UEFA rig these things. You know they always want to stack the cards like a pro wrestling promoter. Of course they’ll give us PSG
To be honest though, PSG is not as good of a team as it looks on paper. I mean they failed to beat Benfica and only beat us by 1 goal each time. I think you guys would have a decent chance against them. Back in 2018-19 UCL, you guys drew them twice, and were not as good of a team then. PSG was probably not as good either, but they were pretty darn decent with Neymar and Mbappe.
PSG let you play. That's one advantage we'll have. Teams that give us the ball get hammered. But with Messi and Mbappe on the field, they can shut you off with 1 or 2 moments of brilliance.