Wolfsburg vs Napoli preview - Schurrle prepared for "early final"

Wolfsburg forward Andre Schurrle believes their Europa League tie with Napoli will be more like a final owing to the quality of the two teams on show.

The opening leg of the quarter-final clash will take place at the Volkswagen Arena on Thursday night, with Dieter Hecking's Wolfsburg looking to end the challenge of yet another Serie A club having dispatched Inter Milan in the previous round.

Schurrle has no doubt spectators can look forward to an intense battle but believes Napoli will be a tougher nut to crack than Inter.

"Inter were not an easy team to beat," he told Gazzetta. "They took the lead at our place and attacked to the end in the return leg.

"What Inter lacked was confidence in their own ability. They have good individuals and it showed but they seemed a bit fearful. We expected to meet a team who were mentally stronger.

"Napoli, however, I think this match is an early final. We are the two best teams among those left in the competition. It will be difficult for us, we have to win at home. Over there the environment is very intense."

This is the first time Wolfsburg and Napoli will have met in a competitive fixture, while the Italians have the added incentive of wanting a win to mark Rafael Benitez's birthday, with the coach turning 55 on Thursday.

Napoli saw off the challenge of Dinamo Moscow in the last 16 and Benitez is confident his team will be up for the fight against Wolfsburg as well.

The Spaniard told a press conference: "Wolfsburg are a strong team with a lot of potential. We will give 100 per cent because we expect a difficult game."

Napoli have a clean bill of health for the trip to Germany while the hosts remain without forward Aaron Hunt as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.