Champions League line-ups: FC Copenhagen vs. Napoli

Champions League line-ups: FC Copenhagen vs. Napoli

Napoli are feeling the pressure in the Champions League in a must-win trip to FC Copenhagen, as Rasmus Hojlund is supported by Scott McTominay and Eljif Elmas.

It kicks off at the Parken Stadium at 20.00 GMT (21.00 CET).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this game and Inter vs. Arsenal on the Liveblog.

The Partenopei are third in Serie A, but have struggled far more in the Champions League, as they are in 24th place on seven points, the same as Copenhagen.

It’s a huge problem, as only the top 24 remain in Europe, with those lower in the table eliminated altogether.

Napoli have played two wins, a draw and three defeats in the Champions League so far this season, and Antonio Conte has very few options available during this injury crisis.

Matteo Politano and Amir Rrahmani were added to the list, joining David Neres, Alex Meret, Kevin De Bruyne, Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa and Billy Gilmour.

Romelu Lukaku is on the bench, but probably not in any condition to play, while Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca are transfer-listed.

It means Hojlund has to lead the attack again in his homeland, flanked by Elmas and Antonio Vergara, after the youth academy product was given his first ever start at the weekend against Sassuolo.

Alessandro Buongiorno and Giovanni Di Lorenzo have to bolster the defence, with McTominay and Stanislav Lobotka in midfield, but Miguel Gutierrez comes in, forcing Leonardo Spinazzola to switch flanks.

FC Copenhagen have the exact same points as Napoli, so this is a head-to-head for position.

The Danes are missing Magnus Mattsson with an ankle injury, while Lukas Lerager, Rodrigo Huescas and Liam West are cup-tied.

There is a familiar face upfront, as Andreas Cornelius played for both Atalanta and Parma in Serie A.

Captain Viktor Claessen is an experienced Sweden international.

As the Danish league is on its winter break, Copenhagen haven’t played since December 10.

They had a dismal start to the Champions League, drawing 2-2 with Bayer Leverkusen, then losing three on the bounce, but then beat both Kairat Almaty and Villarreal with 3-2 results.

FC Copenhagen: Kotarski; Meling, Gabriel Pereira, Suzuki, Lopez; Achouri, Madsen, Delaney, Elyounoussi; Dadason, Cornelius

Copenhagen bench: Buur, Runarsson, Garanaga, Hatzidiakos, Claesson, Moukoko, J Larsson, Robert, Sarapata, Clem, Hojer, Ankamafio

Napoli: Milinkovic-Savic; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Juan Jesus; Spinazzola, Lobotka, McTominay, Gutierrez; Vergara, Elmas; Hojlund

Napoli bench: Contini, Ferrante, Lukaku, Olivera, Lucca, Beukema, De Chiara, Prisco, Ambrosino, Lang

Quick take: Match context: momentum and small details could decide this one, especially set-pieces and transitions. Form and fitness will matter; expect managers to rotate carefully around the congested schedule. Continental stakes raise the intensity, where away goals no longer apply but margins still feel razor thin. We’ll keep an eye on confirmed details as the story develops from official sources.

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