Ranking the Champions League draw
By Jocelyn Taub
3) Real Madrid vs. Napoli – First leg Feb. 15 Second leg March 7
It’s never ideal to be paired with the defending champions of Europe. That is what Napoli is up against when the Italians take on Real Madrid in February.
Even more daunting is the fact that Ronaldo’s side have gotten to at least the semi-final rounds for six straight years and have won the Champions League trophy twice in that time span.
Real Madrid top the current La Liga table. Napoli are presently fourth in Serie A.
Napoli’s offense is potent and features forwards José Callejón and Lorenzo Insigne as well as midfielders Dries Mertens and Slovakian Marek Hamsik.
Real Madrid’s lineup is loaded with superstars. When you have Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez, Karim Benzema, Isco, Luka Modric and Sergio Ramos on your roster you know you’ve got a darn good team.
Real Madrid should advance yet again.
Here’s what the fans think:
We wanted a UCL experience, and man are we going to get it. If we can hold our own in Madrid, anything can happen at the San Paolo.
— Ken C (@K_Cioffredi) December 12, 2016
Real Madrid got napoli??? Where is Donald Trump when we need him to prove the #UCL draw was rigged #MakeChampionsLeagueGreatAgain
— Ahmed (@ahmessi_cortez) December 12, 2016