After coming close to qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League, Napoli had to settle for the Europa League in the second half and make its debut on Thursday 14 February in the second round of the tournament. its 2018/2019 edition. It will rival Zurich. The meeting will be held at the Letzigrund stadium in Zurich, Switzerland starting at 18h (BrasÃlia time). The return match in Italy was scheduled for February 21.
At this stage, the 24 clubs that managed to qualify in the group stage of the Europa League won the company of the eight third place in the same stage of the Champions League. Whoever adds the most points in the two matches will advance to the next stage, which will have a pairing defined through a draw without any direction. If necessary, goal balance and away goals will be used as tiebreaker criteria. Even though there is no definition, the decision will take place through penalties.
Zurich
The Swiss team had a devastating start in the Europa League. He made three victories. Then he collapsed. He suffered two defeats and drew once. The saving made in the first round was enough to guarantee the classification. With ten points, he was in second place in Group A, who had Bayer Leverkusen (13 points) as the winner.
The team went into recess in the second half of December. Winter forced the stoppage of the Swiss Championship, which only resumed in early February. The Zurich skidded in the first match. He was defeated, as a visitor, by St. Gallen 3-1. But he recovered soon after. At home, he made 3-1 at Grasshoppers.
With 28 points (seven wins, seven draws and six defeats) he is in the fourth place of the Swiss Superliga, within the limit of the classification zone for international tournaments in the 2019/2020 season. The difference for the Young Boys, leader, is 25 points, which makes any hope of a title dispute impossible.
In the inter-season period, in January, Zurich made six friendly matches. He defeated Aarau (4 to 3), Uerdingen (3 to 1) and Flora (3 to 1); tied with Sabail (1 to 1); and lost to Dresden (2 to 1) and Cluj (2 to 1).
Napoli
Napoli started the season in the Champions League taking on the role of underdog in a group that had Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool. Surprised and stayed very close to the standings.
However, the 1-0 loss to the English in the final round ended the dream. With nine points (two wins, three draws and a loss), the Italians were in third place and were ‘downgraded’ to the Europa League. Despite the dramatic situation in the end, it was expected from the start of the dispute.
In the Italian Championship, the Neapolitan team also plays exactly the role that is expected of him. In a tournament where Juventus have won the last seven editions and walks quietly for the eighth championship, the vice is the limit.
That’s what Napoli is conquering. On Saturday, February 9, when he was in the goalless draw with Fiorentina in Florence, he reached the mark of 52 points (16 wins, four draws and three losses). They are nine points ahead of Internazionale, third placed. It’s the same difference compared to Juventus leader.
The only disappointment was the elimination in the Cup of Italy. Beaten by Milan, 2-0 in Milan, the Neapolitans fell in the quarterfinals. For Thursday’s meeting, coach Carlo Ancelotti is expected to dribble two injuries. Defenders Raul Albiol and Rui Mario are in the infirmary.
History of the bouts between Zurich and Napoli
This will be the first match involving the teams.
Football Prediction of the Day Zurich vs Napoli
With a patient style of touch and able to wait for the chances of penetrating the opponent’s defense, Napoli, technically superior to Zurich, has the prognosis in his success as the most suitable option for the meeting of Thursday by round one-legged Europa League season 2018/2019.
Bet Tips: Napoli wins
Odds: 1.40
