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Benfica without some players in Italy

Napoli are doing great this season and will have massive support from the stands

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Napoli opened this season brilliantly even though their top scorer left the team to join Juventus this summer. However, they have put all the millions from that transfer to good use and acquired center back Maksimovic, midfielder Zielinski, Rog and Diawara, winger Giaccherini and striker Milik. The latter managed to make all the fans instantly forget about Higuain. He proved his credentials in Champions League, having scored both goals against Dinamo Kiev in Ukraine. 

Sarri is forced into making some changes to the lineup because of Champions League but that doesn't seem to be affecting the game or the results so far. Napoli beat Chievo easily on Saturday at San Paolo, having settled the game in the first half. 

Sarri doesn't consider Napoli to be the favorites against Benfica:

- I think the team is ready, we all know this will be a tough game. Benfica are a strong team. I saw all of their matches and they control the game without any problems. They have good organization, good technical skills and quality. They put up a great fight against Bayern last season in Champions League QFs. We'll try and control the game but it's not easy getting the ball back against Benfica. Getting them to make mistakes is tough. I hope home field advantage will help but their players are used to playing at big stadiums. 

Sarri has no major injury struggles ahead of the Benfica match since only defender Chiriches and offense player El Kaddouri won't play (they are not his first choice this season anyway). He managed to rest some key starters in the Chievo game, which means all the top players will be there today. It's only questionable whether Mertens or Insigne will start at left wing. 

Benfica dropped points in an unfortunate manner against Besiktas at Luz in the first round. They were in the lead for almost the entire match but Talisca, who used to be at Benfica, scored three minutes into injury time. Talisca spent two years at Benfica and Rui Vitoria could definitely use him now that he struggles with so many injuries. 

Benfica are dealing with opponents rather easily in the Portuguese championship. They are top table after 6 rounds but their winning run will definitely be put to a big test at San Paolo.

Rui Vitoria expects a close game:

- We are used to playing at stadiums that create intense atmosphere. We need to be aware of the fact we are playing at a tough place but still need to try and play our game. Two good teams with a lot of quality are to meet. I like Napoli. They have a great game in the 4-3-3 formation. They put a lot of pressure on the opponents in many moments in the game. We are into an intense, tough game for both teams. 

Unlike the home team, the visitors have massive injury struggles. Vitoria cannot count on important forwards Jonas and Raul Jimenez, midfielders Samaris, Barbosa and Silva, as well as defender Jardel. Vitoria could go with the 4-2-3-1 formation. Mitroglu and Jose Gomez are in the race for the striker position. Veteran Julio Cezar should take the goal keeper spot instead of Ederson. He knows the atmosphere at San Paolo very well since he played at Inter for years.