Napoli vs Real Madrid live: Latest score from Stadio San Paolo
Follow live updates from the Champions League clash at the Stadio San Paolo

Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid travel to Napoli tonight in the Champions League as they look to capitalise on their 3-1 first-leg advantage and progress through to the quarter-finals of Europe’s elite competition.
- Real Madrid's Gareth Bale admits La Liga is much easier than the Premier League
- Mesut Ozil admits 'Real Madrid journey' wasn't finished before moving to Arsenal
- Arsenal's Mesut Özil was called a 'coward' by Jose Mourinho in blistering dressing-room row at Real Madrid
- Real Madrid fight back to salvage late point against Las Palmas as Gareth Bale is sent-off after scoring
What time is kick-off?
7.45pm (GMT), Tuesday 7 March.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 3
It’s a big game for…
Dries Mertens. With 25 goals to his name across all competitions this season, the Belgian could be the man to inspire a shock fightback for the hosts tonight. Mertens was in particularly fine form at the weekend, clinching both goals in his side’s 2-1 Serie A victory away at AS Roma. Napoli need Mertens more than ever if they’re to stand any chance of reaching the quarters.

Best stat…
Real Madrid have progressed in each of their past eight Champions League ties when they have won the first leg.
Player to watch…
Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese returns to Zidane’s squad after being rested for the side’s recent 4-1 victory over Eibar due to a “niggle”. Expect a fresh and rejuvenated Ronaldo to be firing on all cylinders as he seeks to secure his side’s spot in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Predicted line-ups…
Napoli XI: Reina; Hysaj, Albiol, Koulibaly, Ghoulam; Zielinski, Diawara, Hamsik; Callejon, Mertens, Insigne
Real Madrid XI: Navas; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Modric, Casemiro, Kroos; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
Form guide…
Napoli: WLLWLW
Real Madrid: WDWLWW
Odds…
Napoli to win: 2/1
Real Madrid to win: 32/25
Draw: 14/5
3 min: Phil Neville on commentary duty: "The first thing Real Madrid need to do is silence this crowd."
Yeah, that's not happening mate. The Stadio San Paolo is loud this evening.
Napoli have made a bright start. Insigne very nearly punishes a weak header from Kroos, intended for Navas. But he's not quite able to bring it under his control.
4 mins: Chance for Hamsik! The ball is whipped in by Ghoulam and the midfielder is inches away from connecting with the ball in the penalty area. In the end, it skids agonizingly over his outstretched boots.
Moments later Callejon whacks in another decent ball after pick pocketing Modric, but again it doesn't get the touch it requires.
6 mins: First chance for Madrid on the break when Callejon fails to control Hamsik's pass on the edge of the area. Marcelo hooks it into the path of Ronaldo but Napoli are pressing at a rate of knots, and CR7 himself is forced into playing it back to Sergio Ramos as Real Madrid look to keep the ball.
8 mins: A fine through-ball from Allan intended for Mertens wins Napoli a corner; Sergio Ramos the man forced to stab it behind.
And from the corner the full-back Ghoulam very nearly catches Navas unawares! He whips in an inswinger which the keeper is forced into tipping over his bar.
The second corner is cleared but Hamsik gets himself on the ball and fires a low shot wide, past Navas' far post. An electric start from the Italians.
11 mins: Brilliant from Napoli. Allan is causing all kinds of problems in the midfield for Real Madrid, repeatedly winning the ball and prodding it forward for Mertens and Insigne to chase.
Ronaldo has just received a bit of a boot from Allan and isn't too happy about it but the referee is unmoved. He'll be fine to continue.
12 mins: First whiff of a chance for Real. Bale breaks and decides to go down the line rather than shifting inside to leather one with his left. He hangs a cross up at the back post, but Benzema and Ronaldo make a mess of it, both going for the ball and allowing Reina to pluck it away.
14 mins: Mertens has made a very bright start. 34-year-old Pepe is going to have his work cut out tonight.

And then so Insigne! The forward picks up the ball thirty-yards out, turns, and belts a shot on goal. It dips right before reaching Navas and the keeper flaps at it, turning it around the post.
Napoli rather waste the corner though, as Pepe wins a free-kick after finding himself shoved to the floor.
16 mins: More good work from Bale down the right, this time crossing into the path of Kroos. The German decides to volley it. His technique is sound but he doesn't get enough power on it: an easy catch for Reina.
17 mins: Another shot from outside the box for Napoli, this time it's Hamsik who fancies his chances from range. But similar to Insigne's earlier effort, his shot flashes narrowly wide of the right post.
19 mins: This is great:
Real Madrid's players are being vociferously whistled every time they touch the ball (which isn't that often, so far). Bale has been their best player. Casemiro just picked the Welshman out with a fine long ball forward only for Bale to shoot rather tamely straight at Reina.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
0Comments