Shakhtar Donetsk face Napoli at the Metalist Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 13. Here’s all the info you need to watch.
Napoli, in first place in Serie A along with fellow undefeated sides Juventus and Inter Milan, are hoping to start their Champions League campaign Wednesday in similar fashion as they head east to face Shaktar Donetsk in Kharkiv.
The Italian club, 3-0 winners against Bologna on Sunday, will need to rely on their attacking quartet, which is led by Belgian international Dries Mertens. Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri likes to use a 3-5-2 formation but changed it to an attack-minded 4-2-4 after the first half against Bologna ended scoreless. Napoli will need to attain all three points if they hopes to advance out of a group that also features Manchester City and Dutch side Feyenoord.
The Partenopei, in the group stages of the Champions League for the second straight year, are a team that can absorb pressure and feature a fast midfield that can be unforgiving when it reverts to attack mode. Napoli like to catch opponents wrong-footed and strikers such as Lorenzo Insigne, whether he is creating a chance or unleashing a shot of his own, remains one of the most-talented (and often underrated) players of the entire continent. The team also has players with plenty of Champions League experience, including goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who at age 35 remains one of the best at his position in Europe, and Slovakian midfielder Marek Hamsik.
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Despite Napoli’s strengths, playing in Ukraine is no easy task for any team. Coaches by second-year manager Paolo Foneseca, Shakhtar enter the Champions League as their country’s reigning champion. The Portuguese manager won the Ukrainian league and cup double last season and won manager of the season honors.
The Miners, 3-1 winners this past Saturday against Zorya to maintain first place in the Ukrainian Premier League standings, have a powerful offense led by Argentine striker Facundo Ferreyra. He scored 13 times in the league and three times in Europe to finish last season with 16 goals in 28 games.
Shakhtar often play the role of spoiler. While they remain a dark horse to advance out of the group this fall, Shakhtar did win the Europa League in 2009 and reached the quarterfinals of the Champions League during the 2010-11 season, their best finish to date in that tournament.
The Champions League match between Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk will be available online only. Live streaming is available on Fubo.TV and Fox Sports Go, which you can access via your cable or satellite subscription, either online or through the Fox Sports Go app.
Date: Wednesday, Sept. 13
Start time: 2:45 p.m. ET
Location: Kharkiv, Ukraine
Stadium: Metalist Stadium
TV Info: Online only
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go, Fubo.TV
Will Napoli get a win at Metalist Stadium or will the home side pull off the upset?