Napoli's Champions League campaign hangs in the balance as they prepare to face Chelsea amidst a crippling injury crisis. The Serie A champions, currently sitting precariously close to the elimination zone in 25th place, must secure a victory against the Blues to keep their hopes of reaching the play-offs alive. The crucial match is scheduled for Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples.
Napoli's coach, Antonio Conte, is facing a severe selection headache due to a long list of absentees. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, David Neres, Frank Anguissa, Amir Rrahmani, Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, and Billy Gilmour are all sidelined. To add to Conte's woes, winger Matteo Politano and defender Amir Rrahmani sustained injuries. Conte has acknowledged the difficult situation, stating that the team is in a "real emergency" as they are "losing players one after another". He also said, "The boat is in the middle of the sea with very high waves, and, and it's dangerous, but no one wants to disembark. It's a question of honour, of men even before sportsmen".
The Partenopei's injury crisis has significantly impacted their performance, with a recent 3-0 defeat against Juventus highlighting their struggles. This loss has further dented their Serie A title defense, leaving them nine points behind leaders Inter Milan. Conte has called on the Napoli fans to rally behind the team during this challenging period. "The boys need big support from the fans… We're going through a difficult period and I expect the fans to get behind the team," said Conte.
Chelsea, managed by Liam Rosenior, also have their own ambitions for the match. Currently occupying the final spot in the top eight, Chelsea needs a win to solidify their position and avoid the play-offs. A victory would guarantee their progress to the knockout stage without needing to go through a two-legged play-off.
Chelsea also has injury concerns to contend with. Cole Palmer is a minor doubt with a thigh issue, while Tosin Adarabioyo is out with a hamstring injury. Levi Colwill is sidelined with a long-term ACL injury, and Romeo Lavia is a major doubt due to a thigh problem. However, Filip Jorgensen could potentially return for the match. Despite the injuries, Chelsea will be hoping that Cole Palmer is available after he missed the win over Crystal Palace with a thigh issue.
Both teams are in dire need of a win, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling encounter at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Chelsea's Rosenior recognizes the importance of the match, stating that his team requires all three points to avoid a playoff tie in February. Chelsea got back to winning ways in Europe last week with a narrow 1-0 win over Pafos at Stamford Bridge.
The game will be televised live on TNT Sports 4 in the UK, with coverage starting at 6.30pm ahead of the 8pm kick-off.
