Topping the group should, in theory, give Napoli a more ‘favourable’ draw in the next round against a second-placed side from another group, and considering they’ve never progressed beyond a UEFA Champions League last-16 this may be high on Luciano Spalletti’s agenda.
Napoli
Napoli extended their unbeaten Serie A start and secured an 11th-straight win in all competitions at the weekend with a 1-0 victory against Roma. It’s been much the same on the European front for the Italians, too, with four wins from four so far in their UEFA Champions League group stage, meaning they are already through to the knockout rounds. However, another victory here against Rangers would strengthen their bid for the top spot in Group A. Topping the group should, in theory, give Napoli a more ‘favourable’ draw in the next round against a second-placed side from another group, and considering they’ve never progressed beyond a UEFA Champions League last-16 this may be high on Luciano Spalletti’s agenda.
Napoli could even secure that feat by bettering Liverpool’s result against Ajax. The Italians should feel confident of holding up their end of the bargain, given they’re unbeaten in ten UEFA Champions League home games.
Rangers
Rangers’ UEFA Champions League journey has been far less fruitful, losing all four of their group games with their elimination from Europe’s top-tier competition already assured. The Scots could still secure the third spot in Group A and a place in the UEFA Europa League, but that would likely rely heavily on bettering Ajax’s result against Liverpool; now H2H records are the first deciding factor, with the two sides meeting on the final matchday after Rangers were drubbed 4-0 in reverse. The prospects look pretty bleak for Rangers, however, with just two of the last 15 British sides to visit Napoli coming away with a victory. Four points behind table-topping Celtic in the Scottish Premier League, it’s not like Rangers can take much heart from their domestic form either, with a 1-1 draw against Livingston at the weekend heaping more misery on under-fire boss Giovanni van Bronckhorst.
Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori has netted in their last three UEFA Champions League outings, scoring the second goal of the game each time. Trying to keep him out, Rangers’ Allan McGregor had faced more shots on target (29) and conceded more goals (12) than any other UEFA Champions League goalkeeper after four group stage rounds in this edition. Rangers have lost on nine of their 12 visits to Italy in European competition.