This could be the Cinderella story in European Football this season. Soaring atop of Serie A and having just clinched a spot in the Champions League quarterfinals, Napoli truly have a fantastic shot of winning their first ever Champions League.
Like I said, this is honestly the best story in all of European Football this season.
Despite the financial hardships the Italian league is suffering from, the death of club legend Diego Maradona three years ago, and the abject failures in league finishes across the last four years, Napoli has overcome nearly all challenges and obstacles to completely dominate both Italian and European football.
Players like Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Piotr Zieliński, Matteo Politano, Hirving Lozano, and Eljif Elmas have been sensational in attack as Napoli currently has the most goals scored in all of Italy with 60, while defenders like Mario Rui, Kim Man-jae, Amir Rrahmani, and Giovanni Di Lorenzo, all provide a veteran, experienced leadership in the backline that has been imposing defensively as Napoli already has 17 clean sheets.
It’s truly a perfect balance as the young, hungry, and fierce offensive threat (average age of offense: 25 years old) can get behind any defense in the world, while the steady defense can keep oppositions at bay and provide the veteran leadership (average age of defense: 29 years old) required when opposing teams press and push for equalizing goals.
Lead by 2nd season HC Luciano Spalletti, this perfect balance has secured Napoli an 18-point lead over title rival Inter Milan as they sit on 68 PTS, and they have just bounced Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 in the Round of 16 in the Champions League a few days ago.
Obviously, they are going to win the league as Inter would have to make up 18 points in just 12 games (which is nearly impossible), but is Europe’s traditional elite ripe for the taking in the Champions League this year? Personally, I think Napoli has a real shot of winning it all this season.
Not only are they far and away the best Italian team in the world at the moment (there are currently two other Italian teams in the Champions League), but they are also better than the likes of Chelsea, Benfica, and maybe even Real Madrid.
Okay, Napoli might have their hands full with Real Madrid as Los Merengues just beat Liverpool 6-2 on aggregate, but they can take out AC Milan, Inter, Chelsea, and Benfica if they face either one of those teams in the Quarterfinals. And, seeing how those teams represent half the remaining teams left in the competition, that gives Napoli a 50% shot of facing them in the Quarterfinals and securing a trip to the Semi-Finals.
Now, I’m not too sure if Napoli will be able to beat teams like Manchester City or Bayern Munich across two legs if they draw them in either the Quarterfinals or Semi-Finals, but a one-off matchup in the Champions League Final could very well provide the necessary momentum and pressure that could give tip the scales in Napoli’s favor over these two teams.
I mean, we saw Man City (2021) and Liverpool (2022) bottle the Champions League Final matchup against opponents (2021: Chelsea, 2022: Real Madrid) they were supposed to win, so maybe Napoli could play the underdog card if they find themselves in said situation.
Nevertheless, the only thing that will determine if Napoli can reach it all the way to the Champions League final is if their young superstar scorers, such as Victor Osimhen, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Eljif Elams, etc., continue to keep their form across the rest of the season.
If they are able to do so, then the sky truly is the limit for this Napoli side.
Images Source: Featured Image:
