Champions League 2025-2026: Napoli-Sporting, the likely lineups
The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium hosts Napoli’s home opener in the Champions League: on Wednesday at 9 p.m., the partenopei are in fact engaged in front of a friendly audience against Sporting, in a match that is already important for the race of Antonio Conte’s men, defeated in Manchester against City on the first day, in the top European competition.
The Salento coach, fresh from the bitter end of the San Siro match against AC Milan on Sunday night, will entrust the keys of the attack to Rasmus Hojlund, who has not scored since last Sept. 13 and has yet to mark at Maradona. Behind him a thick midfield with offensive characteristics, with Lobotka in a director position behind a four-man line formed by Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne and McTominay.
On the other hand, Sporting got off to a good start in their Champions League, thanks in part to the modest caratora of their opponent, Kairat Almaty, beaten 4-1 at the José Alvalade. Coach Rui Borges is banking on the double-midfield line-up, with Hjulmand flanked by Kochorashvili, while in attack Suarez will be supported by Quenda, Trincao and Pedro Gonçalves.
Probable lineups
NAPLES (4-1-4-1): Meret; Spinazzola, Beukema, Juan Jesus, Gutierrez; Lobotka; Politano, Anguissa, De Bruyne, McTominay; Hojlund. All. Conte.
SPORTING (4-2-3-1): Joao Virginia; Fresneda, Quaresma, Gonçalo Inacio, Araujo; Hjulmand, Kochorashvili; Quenda, Trincao, Pedro Gonçalves; Suarez. All. Rui Borges.
