Napoli Could Set an Unwanted Club Record if They Lose Another Champions League Away Game
Napoli are battling hard domestically to retain their Serie A crown, but their stuttering Champions League campaign is in danger of being prematurely cut short.
Charlie Rhodes
Updated on 10 December 2025
Napoli head into matchday six of the Champions League with just seven points from a possible 15, which leaves them just three places above safety.
A vital three points against Qarabag towards the end of November has lifted them into the playoff places, but with three games left to play they have several potential stumbling blocks to contend with.
Not least Benfica, who themselves are under real threat of elimination having lost all but one of their five games so far. Their sole victory of the campaign came last time out as they continue hold a tenuous grasp on scraping into the playoff places, although that win came against Ajax who remain the only side yet to pick up a point this season.
However, Benfica and Jose Mourinho may take a shred of comfort in the fact Napoli have struggled away from home in the Champions League this season.
🎙️🇵🇹Jose Mourinho on Conte:
“It’s impossible to think his teams are weak; they have compactness and tactical awareness at a very high level. He’s very demanding in the market and always finds a way to build a strong squad. In terms of preparation, he’s one of the best.” pic.twitter.com/fyEBZdNz0q
— Napoli Zone (@TheNapoliZone) December 9, 2025
Benfica vs Napoli Shaping Up to Be a Goalless, Grating Watch
The eighth meeting between Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, and their first since 2018 may fail to live up to the blockbuster billing.
That is if both sides’ Champions League form is anything to go by.
Mourinho praised Conte as “one of the best coaches” and admitted its “practically impossible” to find something his teams don’t do well, but Gliz Azzurri have looked uncharacteristically vulnerable in Europe this season.
Both Benfica and Napoli have scored just two goals from open play so far this campaign – only Ajax, Villarreal and Pafos have registered fewer up to this point.
Both sides also ranked among the 10 worst teams for xG created from open play, with Napoli’s 3.8 seeing them all the way down in 33, out of 36 teams competing in the tournament.
Why Napoli’s Champions League Away Form is Cause For Concern
While defeat for Benfica may leave them with very few prospects of competing in the playoffs, a win could lift them into contention with two games left to play.
Although not quite all-or-nothing, this proposition could spell danger for a Napoli side who have struggled on the road in the Champions League in recent seasons.
Another defeat away from home could see them set an unwanted club record of five straight Champions League away games without picking up any points.
Across those four defeats, Conte’s side have also conceded at an alarming rate of almost four goals per-game (3.8).
That damning statistic is somewhat inflated by their 6-2 capitulation against PSV back in October, but Conte’s Napoli have shored up their defense since, conceding just six goals in 10 games in all competitions.
Charlie Rhodes
Charlie has built a deep portfolio across a wealth of sports websites, with a heavy focus on Europe's top five leagues. He has a long-standing interest in Serie A having grown up watching Football Italia on Channel 4 as a child. With extensive experience tailored towards news, long-form content and heavily researched features, Charlie has also garnered experience in several roles in the fintech and marketing sector.
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