Our prediction for this Europa League match:
All eyes will be on Stadio Olimpico when Benfica and Arsenal take on each other in the Europa League last 32, first leg. The Eagles are undefeated in the Europa League this season, with the team scoring goals for fun on home soil. However, home win should not be considered as Jorge Jesus have been struggling to find their best form in the Primeira Liga of late. Both Almeida and Jardel are likely to miss the game with injuries.
The Gunners, on the other hand, impressed in a 4-2 win over Leeds United, with the team regaining a much-needed confidence. Since Mikel Arteta is likely to count on key players for Thursday’s showdown, we are tempted to put our money on the Premier League side. Midfielder Thomas Partey is out of contention with a hamstring injury, while defender Kieran Tierney remains on the sidelines with a calf problem.
Highlighted Player (Roberto Soldado):
Roberto Soldado is regarded as one of the most famous footballers in the history of Villarreal. The meaning of his surname in Spanish is “the warrior” and it has to be noted that he began his football career at Real Madrid, playing from the B team between 2002 and 2006. The pacey attacker made 16 appearances and scored two goals for the first team, but he was producing the best performances of his career during his three-year spell at Valencia.
Soldado scored 59 goals in 101 appearances for los Che, but in 2013 he signed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of £26 million. The Spanish attacker, who was born on 27 May, 1985 in Valencia, scored for the Spurs on his debut in a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, but he netted the goal from the penalty spot.
Soldado failed to impress in the 2014/2015 Premier League campaign with Tottenham and, as a result, he was sold to Villarreal on 14 August, 2015. Speaking of his international career, the Villarreal attacker made his Spain debut in June, 2007 against Latvia.
Highlighted Team (Napoli):
SSC Napoli is an Italian football club from the city of Naples which is playing currently in the Serie A. The club was founded officially in 1926 but the history from Napoli reaches back to 1904 with the club Naples Foot-Ball & Cricket Club that fused with Internazionale Napoli and was called FBC Internaples.
After 4 seasons the club changed its name to SSC Napoli (Societa Sportiva Calcio).
In the end of the eighties Napoli had the biggest success in the club history with the Argentinian legend Diego Maradona. Diego Maradona was able to win the league title twice, the national cup and the UEFA cup. The moment Maradona left the club Napoli got into big financial trouble.
In 2004 the local club was bankrupt. Despite the help of financial investors the club got regulated to the Serie C. After 6 years of playing in lower divisions Napoli managed to get back in the Serie A in season 2007/2008. Famous players that played for the club from Naples are: Maradona, Zola, Cavani, Blanc, Di Canio, Cannavaro.