Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli does not believe they should be considered favourites against Eintracht Frankfurt, but also won’t set limits on their Champions League ambitions. ‘We want to dream.’
It kicks off at the Deutsche Bank Park at 20.00 GMT.
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The second leg is in Naples on March 15 and once again this season the away goals do not count double on aggregate.
“Some of these lads are in their first Champions League games, so we understand there is tension, but we are confident they can do well tonight as well,” Giuntoli told Sky Sport Italia.
Luciano Spalletti opted to pick Mathias Olivera at left-back rather than Mario Rui, while Chucky Lozano is preferred to Matteo Politano.
“As the coach said, we never considered anyone a reserve or a first choice, there are lots of first choices, including Olivera, Mario Rui, Lozano, Politano, Simeone and Raspadori. Some haven’t played as much as the others, the coach chooses game by game, but the results are proving him right.”
Napoli won five out of six Champions League group games, so are they the favourites going into this tie in Frankfurt?
“I don’t think it is fair, as Eintracht Frankfurt are a very strong side who will do well in future too. We expect an even clash and hope to do well.”
At the same time, the director of sport acknowledged Napoli are flying high right now and have no need to define their ambitions.
“This is a hungry team. We have to focus on this game, which is delicate and difficult. It would be wrong to set targets right now that could be limiting, especially as we want to dream.”
Giuntoli was asked about his contract after reports of interest from Juventus in poaching him for next season.
“I have a contract for next season too, there are no problems and I have a good rapport with the President and his family. There is no issue. Praise is always pleasing, but the biggest challenge in football is the one to come. We have to think of what is coming and not what we have achieved, and to look back mainly at what went wrong that we can improve.”