UEFA Champions League League Stage - 8
Napoli 2 - 3 FT Chelsea
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
17' Juan Jesus
E. Fernandez 19'
33' A. Vergara (M. Olivera)
43' R. Hojlund (M. Olivera)
HT
↓ P. Neto ↑C. Palmer 46'
↓ Andrey Santos ↑J. Gittens 59'
↓ M. Gusto ↑T. Chalobah 59'
Joao Pedro (C. Palmer) 61'
67' ↓ Juan Jesus ↑M. Gutierrez
↓ Estevao ↑A. Garnacho 74'
75' E. Elmas
82' ↓ E. Elmas ↑R. Lukaku
82' ↓ L. Spinazzola ↑S. Beukema
Joao Pedro (C. Palmer) 82'
W. Fofana 88'
↓ J. Gittens ↑B. Badiashile 90'
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Napoli
Goalkeepers
Alex Meret 
MAGNET
50
Activity
50
Activity
49
Passes
1
Duels
Defenders
Giovanni Di Lorenzo 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Juan Jesus 
FRIENDLY FIRE
0
Mistake
0
Mistake
3
Fouls
5.9
Rating
Alessandro Buongiorno 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
67%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Leonardo Spinazzola 
NPC
82
Minutes
82
Minutes
27%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Stanislav Lobotka
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
42%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
Scott McTominay 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
5
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Mathías Olivera 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
2
Assists
48%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Antonio Vergara 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Eljif Elmas
NPC
82
Minutes
82
Minutes
26%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
Rasmus Højlund
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
Nikita Contini 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
David Spinelli
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Miguel Gutiérrez
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Sam Beukema 
CAMEO
8
Minutes
8
Minutes
12
Touches
None
Events
Christian Garofalo
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Emmanuele De Chiara
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Romelu Lukaku
CAMEO
8
Minutes
8
Minutes
3
Touches
None
Events
Chelsea
Goalkeepers
Robert Sánchez 
SWEEPER
2
Cleanups
2
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Defenders
Malo Gusto
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Reece James
SWEEPER
3
Cleanups
3
Cleanups
2
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Wesley Fofana
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Marc Cucurella
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
52%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
Midfielders
Andrey Santos
MAGNET
70
Activity
70
Activity
64
Passes
6
Duels
Moisés Caicedo
MAGNET
84
Activity
84
Activity
78
Passes
6
Duels
Estêvão
NPC
74
Minutes
74
Minutes
16%
Pass Acc
6
Rating
Enzo Fernández
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Pedro Neto
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
João Pedro 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
9.2
Rating
BENCH
Filip Jørgensen
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Max Merrick
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Trevoh Chalobah
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Benoît Badiashile
CAMEO
1
Minutes
1
Minutes
1
Touches
None
Events
Jorrel Hato
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Josh Acheampong
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Cole Palmer 
SUPER SUB
0
Impact
0
Impact
45
Minutes
7
Rating
Jamie Gittens
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Tyrique George
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Liam Delap
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Marc Guiu
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Alejandro Garnacho
SWEEPER
1
Cleanups
1
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
0
Blocks
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/03/2012 | Chelsea | 4 - 1 | Napoli | UEFA Champions League | Stamford Bridge |
| 21/02/2012 | Napoli | 3 - 1 | Chelsea | UEFA Champions League | Stadio San Paolo |
Napoli Win
Chelsea Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 8 GD: +19
P: 8 GD: +14
P: 8 GD: +12
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +7
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +6
P: 8 GD: +9
P: 8 GD: +8
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +10
P: 8 GD: +4
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: +2
P: 8 GD: -4
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -8
P: 8 GD: -1
P: 8 GD: -2
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -3
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: 0
P: 8 GD: -5
P: 8 GD: -6
P: 8 GD: -9
P: 8 GD: -13
P: 8 GD: -11
P: 8 GD: -14
P: 8 GD: -13
League Standings
P: 7 GD: +18
P: 7 GD: +13
P: 7 GD: +11
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +8
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +10
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +5
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +3
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: +6
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: +4
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: 0
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: +1
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -5
P: 7 GD: -2
P: 7 GD: -4
P: 7 GD: -6
P: 7 GD: -10
P: 7 GD: -12
P: 7 GD: -9
P: 7 GD: -11
P: 7 GD: -10
AI-powered match analysis and previews to help you decide which games are worth watching
João Pedro Double Snatches Points in Naples
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 90/100. A relentless display of attacking football saw the lead change hands five times as Chelsea's tactical depth ultimately overwhelmed a resilient Napoli side.
The High-Octane Opening Act
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona was a cauldron of Intensity as these two European heavyweights traded blows from the start. Chelsea drew first blood when E. Fernandez remained calm to slot home a 19th-minute penalty after a period of sustained pressure. However, Napoli refused to be intimidated by the visitors, who edged possession with 54% of the ball. The hosts began to turn the screw, utilizing the creative vision of M. Olivera to exploit gaps in the Londoners' defensive line. By the 33rd minute, the Balance shifted when A. Vergara fired past the keeper to level the scores, rewarding Napoli's adventurous approach and setting a frantic tempo for the remainder of the first half.
The Pivot: A Tactical Chess Match
Just before the interval, the Balance of power swung violently in the hosts' direction. R. Hojlund capitalised on another sublime delivery from Olivera in the 43rd minute to send the home side into the break with a 2-1 lead. It was a remarkable turnaround that forced the Chelsea bench into action. The introduction of C. Palmer at half-time proved to be the masterstroke that redefined the match. Palmer’s arrival injected a new dimension of creativity, allowing the Blues to regain their foothold and stretch the Napoli defense. With the Stakes rising, Chelsea’s response was immediate and clinical, turning a potential disaster into a platform for one of the most memorable comebacks of the group stage.
The Resolution at the Maradona
The final act belonged to one man. Joao Pedro showcased elite composure to drag Chelsea back from the brink of defeat. In the 61st minute, he connected with a perfectly weighted Palmer assist to restore parity, before silencing the Naples crowd for good in the 82nd minute with a decisive second goal. Despite late pressure and an 86% passing accuracy from Napoli, Chelsea’s defense held firm to secure a vital 2-3 victory. While this result did not represent a massive Upset based on the standings, the manner of the victory against a stubborn Napoli side underlined Chelsea's knockout credentials. For the Partenopei, the defeat is a bitter pill to swallow after such a spirited performance, leaving them searching for answers in the bottom half of the table.
Key Questions
What made João Pedro the Man of the Match?
His clinical brace turned a 2-1 deficit into a victory, demonstrating elite Intensity and finishing that the Napoli defense simply could not contain.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
High Intensity and five lead changes defined the match, as both teams prioritized attack over defensive structure in a classic European night.
How did Napoli complete the comeback from behind?
Napoli initially overturned Chelsea's lead through goals from Vergara and Hojlund before Chelsea’s late surge via Joao Pedro ultimately decided the contest.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.
Continental Survival on the Playoff Edge
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 48/100. This is a high-stakes standoff where Napoli must defend their precarious 24th-place playoff spot against a Chelsea side desperate to avoid the final-day lottery.
The Setup
As the Champions League league stage reaches its climax, the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona provides the backdrop for a tense tactical battle. Napoli enters the fray sitting exactly on the playoff line, their Form (DLWDL) suggesting a team struggling for consistency under pressure. Conversely, Chelsea occupies 14th place, and while they are comfortably within the top 24, they remain far from the top-eight direct qualification spots. With a high Balance rating of 10.0, the data suggests two squads that are remarkably evenly matched despite their differing league positions. The Stakes are rooted in the bubble; a loss for the hosts could see them slide out of European contention entirely.
Key Battle
The primary tactical friction exists between Napoli's goal-scoring engine, Scott McTominay, and Chelsea's rising star, Estêvão. McTominay has been the focal point of the Partenopei's attack, providing a physical presence that disrupts midfields, while Estêvão offers the technical Stars quality capable of unlocking a disciplined defense with a single touch. How the home midfield manages Chelsea's creative sparks like C. Palmer will determine if they can provide the service McTominay needs to capitalize on his clinical finishing.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey affair where neither side is willing to overcommit early. Napoli's goalkeeper, Vanja Milinković-Savić, has been in inspired shot-stopping form and will likely be the reason the hosts stay in the game. Chelsea possesses superior depth, but the atmosphere in Naples often acts as a leveller. We anticipate a 1-1 draw, a result that keeps both teams alive but satisfied with a shared point in this high-pressure environment.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes. The playoff bubble drama makes every tackle and goal attempt critical for their European survival.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw is the most likely outcome given the narrow 0.4% probability gap between the teams.
Where are Napoli and Chelsea in the league table?
Chelsea sits in 14th place with 10 points, while Napoli is currently 24th with 8 points.
What is Napoli's current form?
Napoli's form over their last five matches is DLWDL, showing significant inconsistency.
Who is the in-form player to watch?
Scott McTominay (Napoli) is the star, boasting 4 goals in 5 matches and a 7.5 average rating.
How is the Futmetrix Score calculated?
The Futmetrix Score (0-100) combines multiple factors: match intensity, competitive balance, stakes importance, and entertainment value to help you decide if this match is worth watching.