Champions League inexperience came at a cost for Serie A hot-shot Napoli, who have a big gap to close if they are to stun the football world and eliminate the reigning European champions Real Madrid after a 3-1 defeat in Spain.

Away goal offers a lifeline for Napoli

It all started so well for Napoli who opened the scoring after only eight minutes of the first leg in Madrid through Lorenzo Insigne. Despite some rather quality patches against the Champions League holders, Partenopei did not hold on to their lead as Real Madrid first leveled the score ten minutes later and then quick-fired Napoli with two goals in five minutes to close the deal with 3-1 victory. Napoli ended up paying price to inexperience in the Champions League, but were still handed a lifeline as the away goal can mean a world’s difference if all stars align under the Vesuvius on Tuesday night. Napoli recovered from Real Madrid defeat with a 3-1 win over Chiev, but succumbed to back-to-back defeats against Napoli and Juventus in the controversial first leg of the Coppa Italia, before getting back to winning ways in a high-profile clash at Roma. The 2-1 win will be a major boost for Maurizio Sarri’s men who will hope that Dries Mertens will be able to extend his fantastic scoring run. The Belgium forward scored a brace against Giallorossi to take his tally to 18 Serie A goals in 24 matches. The 29-year-old has so far bagged four goals in 7 Champions League matches and will be the one to keep an eye on.

The hosts will be buoyed by the clean bill of health and Maurizio Sarri will have no selection issues apart from Lorenzo Tonelli, who is expected to return from his injury in time for the match.

Inconsistency the issue for Los Blancos

Zinedine Zidane’s men have been struggling to keep their pace over the past couple of weeks. Their win over Napoli was followed by a clean-sheet triumph over Espanyol, but Los Blancos fans and players alike were stunned by the 2-1 defeat at Valencia just four days later as the pressure piled up for La Liga leaders. Zidane’s men then grinded a 3-2 win over Villarreal despite going two goals down at the beginning of the second half, but their decline in form was most evident when Los Blancos drew with Las Palmas at the beginning of March. Unexpected set-backs have cost Real Madrid their leading place on the standings, and although the team recovered from the slump with a compelling 4-1 win away at Eibar last time out, inconsistency remains the biggest issue ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Italy. Real Madrid. Los Blancos are well aware San Paolo is a difficult place to play at and they will have to be extra careful considering their somewhat poor away form in Europe’s elite competition thus far. And knowing that Napoli won last seven of 11 home games in the Champions League, it will only make things harder for Real Madrid.

Zinedine Zidane is likely to call upon Cristiano Ronaldo, even though the Portuguese superstar has only recovered from injury. Fabio Coentrao has also resumed training, but is unlikely to be risked. Raphael Varane is the only one of the injury list, due to his muscle problem.

Verdict

Napoli will play the only way they can. Partenopei are the attack-oriented side and are expected to throw everything they have got against Real Madrid straight from the off. They will be looking to score as soon as possible, but Los Blancos will also look to put the ball in the back of the net to secure their chances of going through.

Top pick: Both teams to score – yes   1.45 (5/11) @188Bet

Alternative pick 1: Over 3.5 goals   2.30 (13/10) @Betfair

Alternative pick 2: Napoli   2.90 (19/10) @WilliamHill