Ahead of Chelsea's Champions League match against Napoli, we take a look at some of the stats surrounding the two men either side will be hoping can propel them into the quarter-finals of the competition. Can Napoli hitman Edinson Cavani kill off Chelsea's Champions League ambitions for another year, or will veteran striker Didier Drogba keep the dream alive for the Blues?
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Drogba is expected to spearhead Chelsea's attack after scoring the only goal in Saturday's success over Stoke City. With the London club needing to overturn a 3-1 first leg defeat, the Ivorian will have his sights locked on goal. But with just 8 goals to his name this season, it's not been Drogba's most prolific campaign.
The graphics above illustrate Drogba's touches and passes received during the first leg between Napoli and Chelsea. Drogba’s role as a target man for his team mates is reflected in the long arrows coming from the Blues’ defensive third. With a clean sheet now vital for Chelsea, defensive duties will be a priority from front to back. He has already shown his defensive qualities, having made 24 clearances this season in the league.
Edinson Cavani has lit the torch paper ahead of tonight’s clash, claiming: ''We are a genuine team'', following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas. The Uruguayan star, whose first leg equaliser paved the way for Napoli's 3-1 comeback, arrives in London with the eyes of Europe closely monitoring every move of the in-demand striker.
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Castrol EDGE Performance data suggests Edinson Cavani is a more clinical finisher than Didier Drogba this season, having converted 24% of his chances, compared to 15% for the Ivorian international. In contrast to Drogba, Cavani seems to prefer passes to feet as the above graphic illustrates. The 25-year-old will be relishing the clash, knowing that one goal could be enough to kill any chance that Chelsea have to progress.
As Napoli's top goal scorer this season with 24 goals to his name, the prolific striker has generated lots of interest from the likes of Manchester City & Chelsea who are both keen to prize him away from Serie A. Cavani spent three seasons at Palermo before moving to Napoli in 2010 and as he prepares to make his 200th appearance for an Italian side, will be hoping to fire the Champions League rookies into their first quarter-final.
Chelsea are aiming to become the only Premier League club to progress into this years quarter-finals and with a crucial away goal, the task certainly isn't an impossible one. Will it be Chelsea of Napoli's night as the UEFA Champions League visits Stamford Bridge?