Napoli vs. Young Boys: Key Issues That Will Shape Europa League Game

Napoli are at home against Young Boys in Matchday 4 of the Europa League. Rafael Benitez’s men lost by a 2-0 scoreline a fortnight ago against the same opposition and will look to exact revenge.

The Partenopei are tied for third place on six points in the group. A win can bolster their qualification chances dramatically. Thankfully for Napoli, the club have lost just once in their last nine matches—that sole loss coming against Young Boys, per WhoScored.com.

Benitez will continue to rotate his squad, believing it a necessity to go far in competitions.

Speaking at his press conference (h/t Football Italia), Benitez stated:

"

We use the entire squad so that we can get to the end of the season in good condition.

If we played the same team all the time it could create physical problems.

This way, when the end of the season comes around we’ll be in peak condition. If we didn’t do things this way we might be tired in the last two months of the season.

"

Qualification is right around the corner, and the Partenopei cannot afford to drop any more points.

Napoli's renewed confidence is what the Swiss opposition should worry about the most.

Here are some key issues that will shape the match for Napoli. 

Marek Hamsik’s Absence

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Napoli will be without captain Marek Hamsik, who is suffering a fever, in this crucial match.

The 27-year-old has been in fine form over the past month and has been the driving force of Napoli’s attack, orchestrating and finishing chances. The club have netted nine goals in their last three games, with two goals and an assist coming from the Slovakian, per WhoScored.com.

The Partenopei will need to learn how to cope without their creative threat for this tough test.

Dries Mertens has the ability to guide the attack, as he did last season when Hamsik was injured and missed a long stretch of fixtures. The Belgian international put in a good performance in the last meeting against Young Boys. Mertens is a more than adequate replacement.

Another option Benitez can field is newly acquired Jonathan de Guzman. The 27-year-old has featured very little since joining the club in the summer. His most notable contribution to date is his winning goal against Genoa in Serie A’s opening fixture.

De Guzman started against Young Boys a fortnight ago, but he did not make a huge impact in the match. He is hungry for minutes and maybe a move to his more natural central attacking midfield position can benefit the side.

Finishing Chances

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It’s safe to say that Napoli garnered most of the possession in their previous fixture against the Swiss, but they squandered many opportunities throughout. The Azzurri fired 20 shots in total, with six on goal, per WhoScored.com.

Benitez is pleased with the attacking nature of the squad, but he says his players need to finish their chances.

Speaking in his press conference (h/t Football Italia), the Spaniard stated:

"

We have to improve in defence, but also in terms of converting our chances. The key for me is to have an attacking mentality to go out to win every game.

Last year we scored more goals while attacking less than we do now. We also suffered a little, but we have to punish our opponents regardless.

In terms of this we have to improve.

"

Although Napoli do need to produce more in the last third of the field, fans will be quick to point out their team’s step up in play occurred right after the Young Boys defeat in a 6-2 trouncing of Verona.

Duvan Zapata is likely to start in attack for Gonzalo Higuain, as he did in their last European match. The 23-year-old registered five total shots to little effect, but he will be hoping to get on the scoresheet on Thursday. 

Defensive Woes

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Napoli’s purchase of Kalidou Koulibaly has been arguably one of the best deals in Serie A this year. The centre-back’s impressive performances so far have been the sole shining light in yet another season of recurring defensive woes for the club.

Luckily for the Partenopei, Koulibaly is probable to start and will help organize the defence.

If the Neapolitans have any chance of winning, they will need to place more emphasis and focus on man marking.

The Partenopei conceded both goals in the last Young Boys fixture from poor marking inside the area and on a counterattack. Mental lapses are a recurring problem for the club, which will need to be improved in order to win this match.