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Champions League 2025-2026: Benfica-Napoli, the likely lineups

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After a narrow victory over Juventus, Napoli visits Benfica on the sixth day of the Champions League single group stage. Kickoff at 9 p.m. at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. The Azzurri are living an excellent moment of form with five victories in their last five matches played: in Europe, the success against Qarabag has restored enthusiasm to Antonio Conte’s men, who are looking for three more crucial points to stay in the playoff zone. On the other hand, the Portuguese found their first victory in the top competition in the last round with Ajax: now Jose Mourinho’s boys will look for a feat against the Italian champions to keep their qualification hopes alive.

Luca GiorgettiNapoli overwhelmed in Champions League: photos of the rout

Napoli overwhelmed in Champions League: the photos
An evening to forget for the partenopean formation, which came out 6-2 defeated by the match against PSV Eindhoven
Kevin De Bruyne and teammates were at the mercy of the opponents for all 90 minutes
On social the Neapolitan fans vented their anger after the rout

"Team never took the field, this'year will be tough" wrote a user
"But are we sure they are not the bad copy of those of last year" wondered another fan
In such a heavy defeat it is hard to find some positive notes…
Scott McTominay tried: scored two goals
The'expulsion of Lorenzo Lucca further complicated the situation
"In the summer we bought too many players" sentenced Antonio Conte after the match
Fans did not take well the words of the Salento coach
"First he throws a tantrum if De Laurentiis doesn’t buy and then he says the market is no good, a crazy thing" reads in a fan’s tweet

Conte does not seem intent on changing the’eleven that beat Juventus: the trident formed by Neres, Hojlund and Lang is confirmed. In midfield there&#8217s still Elmas alongside McTominay, while on the flanks will be Di Lorenzo and Olivera, who starts ahead of Spinazzola. Defense led by Rrahmani, with Beukema and Buongiorno on his sides, Milinkovic Savic between the posts. On the other side Mourinho relies on Pavlidis in attack, with Aursnes, Barreiro and Sudakov in support in the three-quarter. Midfield dike formed by Barrenechea and Rios, Otamendi will lead the backline in front of Trubin in goal.

“The two defeats in the Champions League were different, against Manchester City we were down 10 after a few minutes. Against PSV Eindhoven it was a bad defeat – said Antonio Conte in a press conference on the eve of the match -. The Benfica stadium is hot, we come from a good moment”. On Jose Mourinho he added: “It is always a pleasure to meet him, we are talking about a winning coach who needs no introduction. We are talking about a great coach, his resume speaks very clearly, I am happy to meet and greet him. I do not have to explain who Mourinho” is.

“Not having De Bruyne but having McTominay is the same. The Napoli bench is different, if you see who is playing you forget who is missing. By changing the system of play they have become a better team. I have heavy absences, but I don’t want to cry – the words of Jose Mourinho -. I know that of the 23 available so many are debuting with me, others come from the youth. Only the result will count. We have to win this game against a very strong opponent, it will be a very difficult game for us. We will do everything to find the result and as long as math gives me hope I am aiming for qualification”.

Probable lineups

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Napoli (3-4-3): Milinkovic-Savic; Beukema, Rrahmani, Buongiorno; Di Lorenzo, Elmas, McTominay, Olivera; Neres, Hojlund, Lang. All. Conte

Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios; Aursnes, Barreiro, Sudakov; Pavlidis. All. Mourinho

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