Napoli are enjoying a spectacular 2022/23 campaign. The Naples-based side hold a 16-point lead in Serie A as they look more likely to win their first league title since Diego Maradona led them to the Scudetto during 1989/90.
Luciano Spalletti’s side have also advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals where they have been drawn against Serie A rivals AC Milan. Napoli have reached this stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history after defeating German side Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on aggregate over two legs in the Round of 16. Were they to go through, they would face one of Inter Milan or Benfica.
That said, here are three reasons why Napoli can win the coveted Champions League trophy this season.
#Rock-solid defence
Napoli’s success this season has been built on a strong and stable backline. They lost Kalidou Koulibaly to Chelsea last summer, and the club quickly moved to sign Kim Min-Jae as his replacement.
Kim has been fantastic since joining Napoli and he has established himself as one of the most reliable defenders in Europe. He has formed a strong partnership with Amir Rrahmani in central defence, with Mario Rui and Giovanni di Lorenzo producing eye-catching performances from left-back and right-back, respectively. Goalkeeper Alex Meret has been superb in goal as well.
Napoli have the second-best defensive record in Serie A, conceding just 20 goals in 28 games. Up till now in the Champions League, Luciano Spalletti’s side have conceded only six times. If their defence can keep producing clean sheets and continue their strong run of form, it could boost their chances of lifting the Champions League.
#Kvaratskhelia-Osimhen combo
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Victor Osimhen have been two of Napoli’s best players this season. The partnership of Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen up front has been a treat to watch, with the duo ripping apart defences with their pace, power, physicality and creativity.
Kvaratskhelia has quickly become one of the most coveted players in Europe. He is breathing fire in Serie A with 12 goals and 10 assists in 24 games while the Georgian has two assists in seven Champions League games. Osimhen, on the other hand, has netted 25 goals in 29 appearances, including four in five Champions League appearances.
With Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia in attack, Napoli have the ability to outscore teams. It is quite obvious the duo will be key in the Spalletti-managed side’s strive for European glory.
#Quality squad
With Meret in goal and solid players like Kim, Rrahmani, Di Lorenzo, Rui, Jesus and more at the back, Napoli have their defence sorted out. In players such as Piotr Zieliński, André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Elif Elmas, Stanislav Lobotka and Diego Demme, Spalletti has a well-oiled and functional midfield too.
Finally, up front, you have proven match-winners such as Kvaratskhelia and Osimhen. Matteo Politano, Hirving Lozano and Giovanni Simeone have also chipped in with goals and assists in crucial games and propelled Napoli to the heights they have reached this season.
Judging the squad in terms of personal talent, experience and squad depth, it is there for everyone to see that this is a well-rounded football team with all key ingredients and an astute coach in Spalletti at the helm to go all the way in the Champions League.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
