UEFA Champions League League Stage - 2
Napoli 2 - 1 FT Sporting CP
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
36' R. Hojlund (K. De Bruyne)
HT
↓ Trincao ↑P. Goncalves 46'
↓ G. Catamo ↑L. Suarez 46'
L. Suarez 62'
↓ E. Quaresma ↑Z. Debast 67'
↓ F. Ioannidis ↑Alisson Santos 67'
69' ↓ M. Politano ↑David Neres
69' ↓ S. McTominay ↑N. Lang
↓ J. Simoes ↑H. Morita 78'
79' R. Hojlund (K. De Bruyne)
81' ↓ K. De Bruyne ↑B. Gilmour
81' ↓ M. Gutierrez ↑M. Olivera
90' ↓ R. Hojlund ↑L. Lucca
FT
Player Cards
Season performance ratings for players in this match
Napoli
Goalkeepers
V. Milinkovic-Savic
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Defenders
L. Spinazzola 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
S. Beukema 
MAGNET
84
Activity
84
Activity
80
Passes
4
Duels
Juan Jesus 
NPC
90
Minutes
90
Minutes
60%
Pass Acc
6.6
Rating
M. Gutierrez
NPC
81
Minutes
81
Minutes
22%
Pass Acc
6.5
Rating
Midfielders
S. Lobotka
MAGNET
86
Activity
86
Activity
79
Passes
7
Duels
M. Politano 
FRIENDLY FIRE
0
Mistake
0
Mistake
1
Fouls
6.3
Rating
F. Anguissa
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
K. De Bruyne 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
2
Assists
40%
Pass Acc
S. McTominay
NPC
69
Minutes
69
Minutes
13%
Pass Acc
6.3
Rating
Forwards
R. Hojlund 
HITMAN
2
Goals
2
Goals
2
On Target
8.7
Rating
BENCH
A. Meret 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Ferrante
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
M. Olivera 
CAMEO
9
Minutes
9
Minutes
1
Touches
None
Events
B. Gilmour
CAMEO
9
Minutes
9
Minutes
7
Touches
None
Events
E. Elmas
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
A. Vergara
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
David Neres 
SWEEPER
1
Cleanups
1
Cleanups
1
Interceptions
0
Blocks
L. Lucca
CAMEO
1
Minutes
1
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
G. Ambrosino
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
N. Lang
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Sporting CP
Goalkeepers
R. Silva 
SIEVE
33%
Save %
33%
Save %
2
Conceded
1
Saves
Defenders
I. Fresneda 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
E. Quaresma
NPC
67
Minutes
67
Minutes
62%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
G. Inacio
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
79
Passes
8
Duels
M. Araujo
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
1
Pens Won
Midfielders
M. Hjulmand 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
88%
Duel Win %
J. Simoes
NPC
78
Minutes
78
Minutes
32%
Pass Acc
6.9
Rating
G. Quenda
PROVOCATEUR
5
Fouls Won
5
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Trincao
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Catamo
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
Forwards
F. Ioannidis
NPC
67
Minutes
67
Minutes
11%
Pass Acc
6.7
Rating
BENCH
J. Virginia
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Matheus Reis
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Z. Debast
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Vagiannidis
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
O. Diomande
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
R. Mangas
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
H. Morita
CAMEO
12
Minutes
12
Minutes
13
Touches
None
Events
P. Goncalves
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
G. Kochorashvili
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
Alisson Santos
👻 Invisible Nothing to note
R. Ribeiro
CAMEO
0
Minutes
0
Minutes
0
Touches
None
Events
L. Suarez 
SUPER SUB
0
Impact
0
Impact
45
Minutes
6.9
Rating
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +6
P: 2 GD: +5
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -3
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
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
Hojlund's Double Rescues Napoli from Brink at Maradona
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 51/100. After an opening loss, Napoli needed a statement—and Rasmus Hojlund's clinical finishing delivered exactly that, turning a tight Champions League encounter into a masterclass of composure under Intensity.
The Architect and the Assassin
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona witnessed a redemption arc unfold in 90 minutes. Kevin De Bruyne orchestrated Napoli's rhythm with surgical precision—three key passes, two assists—pulling strings that bent Sporting CP's defence into submission. But it was Hojlund who delivered the knockout blows. His 36th-minute opener, a composed finish from De Bruyne's craft, set the tone. The Danish striker's second, arriving in the 79th minute, buried any hope of a Sporting comeback and showcased the Balance between Napoli's midfield vision and clinical execution.
Sporting's Penalty Lifeline Proves Hollow
Luis Suarez's 62nd-minute penalty—a lifeline converted with precision—briefly threatened to shift the Stakes. For 17 minutes, Sporting CP sensed vulnerability. Their xG of 1.35 suggested they created the more dangerous opportunities, yet Napoli's 51% possession and sharper finishing proved decisive. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic made three crucial saves, denying Sporting a leveller when the momentum swung toward the visitors. The goalkeeper's distribution and command of his box prevented what could have been a dramatic collapse.
The Turning Point
Hojlund's second goal was the inflection point. Napoli had weathered Sporting's storm—12 shots faced, four on target—but De Bruyne's creative dominance never wavered. When the 79th-minute goal arrived, it wasn't fortune; it was the inevitable conclusion of a team that controlled the narrative despite near-parity in possession. Sporting CP's opening-day victory now feels like a false dawn. Napoli, by contrast, have answered their own opening defeat with the kind of performance that suggests Champions League credentials run deeper than one match.
Key Questions
What made Rasmus Hojlund the Man of the Match?
Two clinical finishes from limited touches, converting De Bruyne's service with ruthless efficiency. His composure under pressure defined Napoli's comeback.
Did Sporting CP deserve more from this match?
Their xG of 1.35 suggests they created chances. However, Napoli's conversion rate and De Bruyne's playmaking proved the difference. Execution, not creation, separated them.
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 at the Maradona
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 27/100. This is a desperate scramble for points between two sides clinging to the Champions League playoff qualification line.
The Setup
The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona sets the stage for a critical encounter where the margin for error has evaporated. With Napoli sitting dangerously close to the elimination threshold in 23rd place, the Stakes for this October 01 fixture couldn't be higher. Sporting CP arrives in 14th, looking to solidify their grip on a playoff spot, but their recent Form suggests a side that is vulnerable when traveling. Both managers know that a defeat here could see them tumble below the top-24 line, making this more of a tactical chess match than a free-flowing spectacle.
Key Battle
The tactical battle will be won in the transition phase between the home midfield and the away defensive block. Without specific Stars dominating the narrative, the focus falls on structural Balance. Napoli's midfield must find a way to penetrate a Sporting backline that has shown cracks this season, while the visitors will aim to exploit the spaces left behind by a Napoli side forced to push for a home victory.
Our Prediction
We expect a cagey, high-tension match where nerves dictate the tempo. Napoli will likely control the ball, but Sporting’s defensive organization is designed to frustrate. Neither side can afford a total collapse, leading to a gritty 1-1 draw where tactical discipline overrides attacking flair.
Key Questions
Should I watch this match?
Yes, if you enjoy high-stakes tactical battles where every mistake could lead to European elimination.
What's the predicted outcome?
A 1-1 draw is the most likely result given the cautious approach expected from both managers.
Where are Napoli and Sporting CP in the league table?
Sporting CP sits in 14th place with 10 points, while Napoli trails in 23rd with 7 points.
What is Napoli's current form?
Napoli's form is inconsistent (LWDLW), reflecting their struggle to maintain momentum in the league stage.
What does this mean for survival?
Both teams are fighting to stay within the top 24 to secure a playoff spot and avoid early exit.
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.