Napoli look for Champions League 'triumph' over Chelsea

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Tuesday, February 21 2012 by SNTV

Intro:

Napoli host Chelsea in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday night, looking to overcome a recent run of bad results and take a step towards the quarter-finals.

The Italian club have been one of the most impressive sides in this season's competition, but their prospects of upsetting the 'Blues' could be hampered by the fact that head coach Walter Mazzarri will be serving a touchline ban in both of the legs.

Script:

Along with APOEL, so far Napoli have been the surprise success story of this year's Champions League.

They've only lost once and have made it through to the round of 16, despite tough opposition from Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Villarreal.

Napoli's next test comes on Tuesday night, when the 'Azzurri' entertain Chelsea in the first leg of their round of 16 tie at the Stadio San Paolo.

Chelsea have stumbled badly on the domestic front this season, but they've still got a strong record - this is their sixth time in the Champions League semi-finals in nine seasons.

So Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri's aware of the danger they pose.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

Walter Mazzarri, Napoli head coach:

"To hear people saying we are favourite for a win, sure it makes us proud, but we are also aware of the dangers hiding in this kind of matches, when you face teams with such elements within their squads."

Napoli have already played their part in knocking Manchester City out of the competition - now they're hoping to take down another English giant.

But whilst Mazarri's hopeful, striker Ezequiel Lavezzi's exercising more caution.

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

Walter Mazzarri, Napoli head coach:

"Chelsea, even if the team is going through a not so great moment, it is always one of the main teams of the English league. And in Naples we are used to keeping our heads on our shoulders and not being affected by what people say, like if we lose it's a tragedy or if we win it is a triumph."

SOUNDBITE: (Italian)

Ezequiel Lavezzi, Napoli striker:

"I don't think we are the favourites to win this, Chelsea is much more experienced in international competitions. We are not so experienced, but we are extremely hungry."

Mazzarri himself will be watching both game from the stands, having received a two-game ban from UEFA for improper conduct in Napoli's final group game against Villarreal.