The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League sees three Italian teams still vying for European glory. While AC Milan’s journey ended in the group stage, shifting their focus to the Europa League, Inter and Napoli stand tall in the knockout rounds, facing formidable opponents in Atlético Madrid and FC Barcelona respectively.
Adding to the Italian contingent is Lazio, who pulled off a stunning first-leg victory against Bayern Munich in the round of 16, igniting dreams of reaching the quarterfinals. Each team faces its own set of challenges and opportunities:
Inter Milan enters the Champions League Round of 16 brimming with confidence and ambition. Last season’s run to the final, albeit ending in defeat to Manchester City, instilled a belief in their capabilities. Their domestic dominance, currently leading Serie A by nine points with a game in hand, further underlines their strength.
Simone Inzaghi’s men play an attractive brand of football, evidenced by their 59 goals scored and only 12 conceded in Serie A. However, finishing second in their Champions League group, behind Real Sociedad, casts a slight shadow.
Their upcoming opponent, Atletico Madrid, holds no fears for Inter. Inzaghi’s team feels more aware of their potential after last year’s experience and harbors genuine aspirations of contending for the title.
While Bayern Munich’s recent exit opens the door, only Manchester City and Real Madrid appear stronger on paper. But the Champions League’s unpredictability allows Inter to dream. However, the immediate hurdle of Atletico remains before they can entertain grander ambitions.
This season has been a stark contrast to Napoli’s triumphant Serie A title win just twelve months ago. A managerial merry-go-round hasn’t provided stability, with poor results leading to departures for Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri. Under Mazzarri, Napoli’s struggles deepened, scoring only 16 goals in 17 games and languishing in ninth place, far from the Champions League spots.
Facing a turbulent season, Napoli has appointed Francesco Calzona to take the reins until the end of the campaign. Calzona, previously assistant coach to both Sarri and Spalletti, offers familiarity and a chance for stability.
A glimmer of hope arrives with the return of Victor Osimhen, whose goalscoring prowess was sorely missed. However, questions remain about whether Napoli can salvage the season.
Finishing in the top four seems difficult, while Champions League progress against Barcelona appears equally challenging. Nevertheless, Napoli must fight on both fronts, with an eye towards rebuilding and finding a long-term solution for next season.
Despite being underdogs against Bayern Munich, Lazio pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory at the Stadio Olimpico in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie. This unexpected result opens a path to the quarterfinals, a feat last achieved by the Biancocelesti in 2000.
However, Lazio’s domestic struggles are undeniable. They currently sit eight points behind the top four in Serie A and their recent loss to Bologna highlights inconsistencies.
Their hopes for a Champions League miracle hinge heavily on Bayern’s current woes. The German giants are enduring a challenging period, winning just two of their last five games across all competitions, with coach Thomas Tuchel facing mounting pressure.
If Bayern’s struggles continue, Lazio has a genuine opportunity to reach the quarterfinals for the first time in over two decades. Sarri’s tactical prowess and Ciro Immobile’s goalscoring form will be crucial in navigating the hostile environment of the Allianz Arena..