All draws lead to quick picks. Favorites of each group are indicated and a probable path is traced that reality is in charge, with the passage of the parties, to confirm or contradict. The script for Group F of the Europa League, that of Real, is already dead paper after two days. Four games that have elevated a surprising AZ Alkmaar to the first position ahead of the two teams that led the pools to advance to the round of 32: Napoli and Txuri Urdin.
The Dutch victory in San Paolo on the first day threatens to mark the entire development of the group and maybe even its outcome. An unexpected result, especially considering that AZ attended the mythical Neapolitan stadium with more than a dozen casualties. A 0-1 that put the Partenopean team in check, forcing him to join in Anoeta, and that opened a very hopeful horizon for the tulips.
AZ took advantage of Rijeka's visit to feast and confirm themselves at the top of the group, from where they threaten Naples and Real. While those of Arne
Slot They have won their two meetings, the two favorites already accumulate a defeat by beard. In this scenario, the double duel between the Dutch and San Sebastian, on Thursday in Anoeta and on the 26th in Alkmaar, is key.
Final visit to San Paolo
If those of Imanol They get two good results, the presumed logic could begin to see the light in the group, provided that Naples adds 6 points against the Croatian team. If Real loses either of the two games against AZ or Naples punctures against Rijeka, the fate of the two favorites seems doomed to be decided in the duel of the last day in San Paolo. It will be on December 10.
The accounts, on paper, challenge Real to add at least 4 points against the Dutch to reach the last two days tied on points with them and with the particular average in favor. In this way, by beating Rijeka in Anoeta, the chances of having the classification on track to visit Naples would increase. Should Real lose in one of their two games against the group leader, or on the contrary, are not able to beat Rijeka at home, they would almost certainly be forced to win at San Paolo. Complicated mission according to what was seen this Thursday.
Those of Gattuso, for their part, they also aspire to reach that last match against Real with advanced duties. They have a great chance of reaching 9 points in the next two rounds thanks to their double duel against Rijeka. In the penultimate step of the group stage they face a key clash in the Netherlands, where they could hit the table or complicate the ticket to sixteenths. If they did not win at the AFAS Stadion, they would have against the particular average with the Dutch.
In short, what could be sensed as a duel between Naples and Real in the lead, with AZ trying to scare from third place, has become an unpredictable group that aims to decide on the last day. Thursday, round three.