Stadio San Paolo was the venue for a Group C clash seen as a must-win for both teams.
A loss for either Napoli or Crvena Zvezda (Red Star Belgrade) would all but kill their hopes of progressing into the knockout rounds of UEFA’s premier club competition, regardless of what was happening in Paris between PSG and Liverpool.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli had remained unbeaten in their four Champions League matches so far but were held by Vladan Milojevic’s Red Star Belgrade when the two sides last met in September in a 0-0 draw.
Ancelotti took no chances with his starting XI as he named his most regular line-up.
Kalidou Koulibaly and Raúl Albiol form a solid partnership in the heart of the defence while left-back Mário Rui contributes heavily in all phases of the game for the Partenopei.
Marek Hamsík is utilised in a deeper playmaking role since the summer departure of Jorginho and ahead of him Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne provide substantial firepower at the head of a 4-4-2 formation.
Unsurprisingly, Vladan Milojevic set his side up in their most commonly used 4-2-3-1.
The formation can be a solid block to break down if organised correctly as well as a springboard for counter attacks if the three men behind the striker can get on the ball in transitional moments.
Marko Marin would be pivotal to Red Star’s chances of causing an upset in the capital of Campania.
Intense Start
Napoli’s attacking intent was evident from the opening exchanges of the game as they pressured Red Star high up the pitch, Mertens and Insigne chased the ball down like terriers in a dog park as the Partenopei looked to thwart Red Star’s idea to play out from their keeper.
Ancelotti’s side were shaped as a 4-4-2 without the ball with Mertens and Insigne leading from the front.
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