The Champions League Round of 16 draw has thrown up a lot of fixtures that we’ve grown used to seeing, but La Liga giants Real Madrid will face Serie A elites Napoli after almost three decades
The last time these two teams squared off, it was Napoli who could boast of having one of the best players in the world on the team. Argentine Diego Maradona failed to score for I Partenopei though, as Real romped to a 3-1 victory.
This time around it is Real Madrid who boast of one of the world’s finest in Portuguese goal machine Cristiano Ronaldo. However, they have their task cut out for them, as Napoli have looked really good this season.
The second leg away at the San Paolo stadium in Naples is a particularly tricky challenge, with renowned Italian journalist Fabrizio Ramano stating that come match day, the stadium could end up resembling an antechamber of hell.
Provo a immaginare il San Paolo in Napoli-Real Madrid, gara di ritorno. Dev’essere un’anticamera dell’inferno. Brividi! #ChampionsLeague
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 12, 2016
Napoli have been playing some of the best football in Europe recently. Real Madrid won’t have an easy ride.
— Matteo Bonetti (@TheCalcioGuy) December 12, 2016
First time Real and Napoli have met since 1987 first round – the tie that changed European football. Berlusconi watched it and wondered 1/2
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) December 12, 2016
Butragueno: “I remember the game against the Napoli team with Maradona in 1987, the atmosphere was great for them, but difficult for us.”
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) December 12, 2016
If Dortmund caused Madrid trouble, fully expect Napoli to do so. Specially if Milik is back by then, plus Napoli knows defending too.
— Rosso (@drlemmer) December 12, 2016
Madrid v Napoli , Should be interesting.. Jose callejon to play his former team, too bad higuain left Napoli ,would av been a nice reunion
— Señor BLAKE (@Tolukzy) December 12, 2016
Everyone is thinking Madrid have a better chance of qualifying than the rest,do not underestimate Napoli……dont even try it
— Don Finito ~_^ (@El_sadiq_FinitO) December 12, 2016
Madrid vs Napoli will be very Entertaining
Expect lots of goals— Abu-Fatah (@Tweetcubey) December 12, 2016
Real v Napoli: This time in front of a full stadium https://t.co/5xOaF7ru6b pic.twitter.com/iucdPN35SG
— Señor Montero (@MonteroSenor) December 12, 2016
Real Madrid playing at the San Paolo is going to be a true spectacle
— David Amoyal (@DavidAmoyal) December 12, 2016
Real Madrid in Naples for the second leg? If that tie is still alive will be a burning atmosphere at the San Paolo. #Napoli #RealMadrid
— John Ludden (@Johnludds) December 12, 2016
Very excited about Real v Napoli. Studio San Paolo is gonna be rocking for that second leg.
— Calcio Culture (@Calcio_Culture) December 12, 2016
Napoli-Real is a really hard one to call. San Paolo is crazy & ESP considering a Juventino is Real’s mgr, Real are in for a hard hard night
— Arjun Pradeep (@IndianRegista) December 12, 2016
#RMANAP )؛
pic.twitter.com/za5PIIhJq1— Nasser #Léo. (@Nassrinho1) December 12, 2016