Feb 15, 2017 at 7.45pm UK at ​Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid
vs.
Napoli

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis: 'We can beat Real Madrid'

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentis speaks to the crowd on July 29, 2013
© Getty Images
Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has insisted that "no team is unbeatable" as the Italians prepare to take on Real Madrid in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis has insisted that "no team is unbeatable" as the Italians prepare to take on Real Madrid in the last-16 stage of the Champions League.

Napoli will travel to the holders of the competition for the first leg on February 15, before Real visit Naples for the second leg on March 7.

Los Blancos will enter the two-legged affair as the favourites to progress, but De Laurentiis has said that his team will not be daunted by the challenge from the Spanish capital.

"We've played Barcelona in the Gamper trophy and in Geneva, but never against Real Madrid," De Laurentiis told beIN Sports. "No team is unbeatable, it's just the circumstances which decide the outcome. Napoli have grown a lot and are the only Italian side to have been in the Champions League for seven years in a row.

"I have to point out that Napoli's turnover is about a quarter of Real Madrid's, Manchester United's and Manchester City's. All teams have to fear their opponent and maybe Napoli are hungrier than Real Madrid. If Real Madrid were to lose the title, even beating Napoli, it wouldn't be a big drama.

"For Napoli, a win would be a heroic act, there are certain games which are worth more than a whole season, like when Napoli play Juventus and win - it's worth more than the whole season.

"If we were to get through against Real Madrid it would be worth the whole year. We don't need to have pretensions of winning the Champions League, the lads will be fired-up by enthusiasm and the love of the fans. As a film producer, dreams are in my DNA."

Napoli, who are currently second in Serie A behind Juventus, qualified for the knockout stage of the competition after topping Group B ahead of Benfica.

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic reacts after scoring during the Premier League clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford on January 15, 2017
Read Next:
Ibrahimovic's agent hints at Napoli move
>


Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Juventus24200449163360
2Roma24172550212953
3Napoli24156357263151
4Atalanta BCAtalanta24143739261345
5Inter Milan24143739241545
6Lazio24135642281444
7AC Milan2412573428641
8Fiorentina2411764133840
9Torino249874536935
10Sampdoria249692930-133
11AC Chievo VeronaChievo2495102531-632
12Udinese2485112732-529
13Bologna2476112337-1427
14CagliariCagliari2483133250-1827
15SassuoloSassuolo2483133340-727
16Genoa2467112735-825
17Empoli2457121433-1922
18Palermo2435162045-2514
19Crotone2434172042-2213
20Pescara2416172255-339