Napoli Aims To Honour Diego Maradona With Champions League Victory Against Qarabag

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Antonio Conte is hopeful that Napoli can secure a win against Qarabag in the Champions League on Tuesday, dedicating it to Diego Maradona. The match coincides with the fifth anniversary of Maradona's passing, and Napoli's stadium now bears his name. Napoli have had a challenging season in the Champions League, accumulating just four points from four matches.

Napoli have managed only one victory in their last six Champions League games, drawing two and losing three. They have conceded an average of 2.2 goals per game during these matches. In contrast, Qarabag have shown resilience this season by avoiding defeat in three out of four games, winning two and drawing one.

Conte acknowledges the challenge Qarabag presents but remains focused on honouring Maradona with a win. "Of course, it's the anniversary of Maradona's passing. We all know what he represents for Naples, and it would certainly be nice if we could dedicate a win to him," said Conte.

Qarabag have been a surprise package in this year's competition, collecting seven points, including results at tough venues like Benfica’s ground. They recently drew at home against Chelsea and nearly clinched a victory at the end. Their squad consists of many foreign players who are well integrated into the team.

Italian clubs have historically fared well against Azerbaijani teams in European competitions. They remain unbeaten in eight encounters, winning six and drawing two. Qarabag have yet to win against Italian sides in Europe, losing five out of six matches.

The only previous meetings between Qarabag and Italian teams in the Champions League were against Roma during the 2017-18 season. Qarabag lost both fixtures, 1-2 at home and 0-1 away.

Conte anticipates a demanding match as Qarabag will bring high energy from the start. He emphasises the need for Napoli to match their intensity to secure a positive result on this significant occasion for the club.

The upcoming clash holds special significance for Napoli as they aim to pay tribute to Maradona with a victory while improving their standing in the competition.