NAPLES: Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri says the Italians have little chance of overturning a 3-1 first-leg deficit to Real Madrid in the Champions League, claiming they are “almost impossible” to beat. “It’s an almost impossible game for us because they score all the time,” Sarri told media at Napoli’s training ground a day ahead of Tuesday’s last-16 clash at the San Paolo, estimating his side’s chances of success “three percent”. If Napoli are to go through on away goals, the Serie A side will have to do what no team has managed since Wolfsburg beat Madrid in a quarter-final first leg nearly a year and 46 games ago — keep a clean sheet against the reigning Champions League winners.
Napoli, looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time, have been playing arguably the best football in Italy this season, thanks in large part to on-form Belgium midfielder Dries Mertens. During a four-month injury absence for Napoli’s Polish international striker Arkadiusz Milik, Mertens was pushed up front and has responded by taking his league tally to 18 goals. Mertens is expected to start up front, flanked by Lorenzo Insigne and former Madrid forward Jose Callejon, in Sarri’s preferred 4-3-3 formation. Although Sarri expects Napoli to do damage up front, he knows causing an upset will require a more combative approach and for the fans to do their bit too. — AFP
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