Wolfsburg v Napoli: reporters' view
Thursday, April 9, 2015
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As the competition's most effective attacks meet in the last eight, correspondents Philip Röber and Paolo Menicucci weigh up VfL Wolfsburg v SSC Napoli.
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Strengths
Philip Röber: The confidence in VfL Wolfsburg's attacking game has reached new heights in 2015. Creating openings with both long and short passing – testimony to their unpredictability – they utilise their pace in attacking transition with devastating effect, but can also adapt to defensively minded opponents with technically clean build-up and patient probing to find the gaps.
Paolo Menicucci: The attacking line led by Gonzalo Higuaín is certainly SSC Napoli's strong suit. Possessing the dynamic creativity of the likes of Marek Hamšík, Dries Mertens, Jonathan de Guzmán, Manolo Gabbiadini and José María Callejón, all able to detect and manipulate space between the lines, they should be a handful for any defence. The European pedigree of coach Rafael Benítez – who has won the UEFA Cup/UEFA Europa League twice, plus the UEFA Champions League – is another big plus.
Weaknesses
Philip Röber: Wolfsburg's tendency to try and take the initiative in every match has not gone unnoticed. During the group stage, Everton FC laid bare the Wolves' lack of defensive structure in both games, and Dieter Hecking's side can count themselves lucky not to have conceded more than a combined two goals across the four legs against Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Internazionale Milano. Their attack-minded approach comes at a price, yet with their forward line proving so productive, Wolfsburg are happy to take the risk.
Paolo Menicucci: Napoli have let in only four goals in ten UEFA Europa League fixtures this term, though the story has been completely different in Serie A. The Partenopei have shipped 37 goals in 29 top-flight outings, which could be a problem against opponents averaging more than two goals a game in the 2014/15 UEFA Europa League.
Form
Philip Röber: Following the tragic death of midfielder Junior Malanda in January, the German media doubted whether Wolfsburg could find the right mindset to remain competitive. Since then, they have been the best team in the Bundesliga. Experienced rivals in the shape of Sporting and Inter were dispatched in this campaign and the Wolves have no major injury worries, affording Hecking the luxury of rotating his lineup to keep in-form players fully fit.
Paolo Menicucci: Napoli have been consistent in their inconsistency this season, often alternating between outstanding performances and huge disappointments. They have not won in their last seven domestic fixtures and have lost their last four Serie A away matches.
European pedigree
Philip Röber: This equals Wolfsburg's longest run in European competition, the club having featured in the 2009/10 quarter-finals before being eliminated by Fulham FC. They are the least experienced side remaining in the competition.
Paolo Menicucci: Napoli are involved at this stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since lifting the UEFA Cup in 1989 during the Diego Maradona era. Last spring they fell to FC Porto in the round of 16 after finishing third in a tough UEFA Champions League group – despite taking 12 points from six games. Knockout football is their recent speciality, however, the Partenopei having landed the 2012 and 2014 Coppa Italia, plus the latest Italian Super Cup.
One to watch/game changer
Philip Röber: While free-scoring Bas Dost – 13 goals on all fronts in 2015 – and interception specialist Luiz Gustavo both have strong cases, the Wolves' great form derives from the exceptional showings of Kevin De Bruyne. Five goals and five assists in the current UEFA Europa League are nothing to sniff at, yet his tireless work ethic and ability to initiate counterattacks are even more priceless than those stats. The Belgian international, 23, is arguably the hottest player in the Bundesliga and irreplaceable in Hecking's system.
Paolo Menicucci: Higuaín has already plundered 23 goals in all competitions this term, including a hat-trick in the round of 16 against FC Dinamo Moskva. The 27-year-old former Real Madrid CF front man is flying, but he "can still grow" according to Benítez. Will another Argentinian follow in Maradona's footsteps and bring European glory to Napoli?
Prediction
Philip Röber: Given the attacking intent displayed by either team, we could be looking at an exciting end-to-end affair. Both sides boast an average of 16.8 shots a game – the highest of the quarter-finalists – and Wolfsburg have come out all guns blazing in the past two rounds, seemingly unfazed by the potential dangers. Napoli must be prepared to stand up to their intensity and attacking flair, otherwise they could find themselves trailing by more than one goal going into the return fixture in Italy.
Paolo Menicucci: The draw has paired two clubs with the capacity to go all the way in this competition, and I expect plenty of goals as both teams are better in attack than in defence. While Napoli are favourites at home with the support of their passionate fans, for me these two have an equal chance of making the semi-finals.
Possible starting XI
Wolfsburg: Benaglio; Vieirinha, Naldo, Knoche, Rodríguez; Gustavo, Guilavogui; Caliguiri, De Bruyne, Schürrle; Dost.
Napoli: Andújar; Maggio, Albiol, Britos, Ghoulam; Inler, David López; Mertens, Hamšík, Callejón; Higuaín.