Article

Zola declines to play favourites

14 March 2012 14:06

Gianfranco Zola's loyalties will be divided during Wednesday's Champions League encounter between Chelsea and Napoli at Stamford Bridge.

Zola, 45, made over 100 appearances for Serie A side Napoli between 1989 and 1993, and he went on to become a Chelsea favourite during a nine-year stay in west London from 1996 to 2005.

The two clubs meet in the Champions League round-of-16 second leg this week, with Napoli leading 3-1 on aggregate from the first leg at the Stadio San Paolo on February 21.

"This game puts me in a difficult position. One team gave me my debut in Serie A, the other is where I was able to realise every footballer's dream," Zola told Uefa.com.

"I really hope it's a great game to watch and that the better side goes through. The Champions League is such a huge, prestigious tournament that it can actually change the way a season is going."

A young Zola played alongside all-time great Diego Maradona at Napoli, and the former Italy international spoke highly of the talented, combustible Argentine.

"Maradona was an unbelievable player," Zola said.

"He made things happen, he was a player who would win football matches for you. The Neapolitan people really identified with Maradona. People showed a great energy and love for him."

"I'm happy to say that not only was Maradona a brilliant footballer but he was also a lovely bloke. We, his team-mates, all loved him."

Info

Chelsea

W W W D W

E 4 - 1 E

Napoli

L W W W W

Competition

Half-time: 1 - 0
Full-time: 3 - 1
Extra-time: 4 - 1

On aggregate: 5 - 4

Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)
Attendance: 37784

Goals

D. Drogba 28' (assist by Ramires)	1 - 0
J. Terry 47' (assist by F. Lampard)	2 - 0
	2 - 1	55' G. İnler
F. Lampard (PG) 75'	3 - 1
B. Ivanović 105' (assist by D. Drogba)	4 - 1

Lineups

#	Player	Bookings
1	P. Čech
3	A. Cole	98'
26	J. Terry	47'
2	B. Ivanović	105'
4	David Luiz
8	F. Lampard	43' 75'
5	M. Essien
7	Ramires
11	D. Drogba	28'
23	D. Sturridge
10	Mata
Coach: R. Di Matteo

#	Player	Bookings
1	M. De Sanctis
6	S. Aronica
28	P. Cannavaro	53'
14	H. Campagnaro	115'
11	C. Maggio
23	W. Gargano
18	C. Zúñiga
88	G. İnler	55' 112'
17	M. Hamšík
7	E. Cavani
22	E. Lavezzi
Coach: W. Mazzarri

Substitutes

#	Player	Bookings
9	Fernando Torres for D. Sturridge 63'
15	F. Malouda for Mata 95'
17	José Bosingwa for J. Terry 98'
12	J. Obi Mikel
21	S. Kalou
22	R. Turnbull
24	G. Cahill

#	Player	Bookings
8	A. Dossena for C. Maggio 37'	68'
29	G. Pandev for M. Hamšík 106'
16	E. Vargas for S. Aronica 110'
20	B. Džemaili
21	F. Fernández
83	A. Rosati
85	M. Britos

Wednesday 22 May

11:10	Cole set for West Ham departure
10:27	Lampard: It was tough under Benitez
10:11	Mourinho branded a ´failure´
06:44	Carroll out of England squad
05:37	Nasri throws support behind Pellegrini
05:07	Kewell unhappy with Australia omission
04:58	Messi: Neymar would be a wonderful addition
01:22	Doll: Dortmund are not underdogs

Tuesday 21 May

23:08	AFC Champions League Wrap: Seoul, Buriram, Al Ahli, Al Shabab advance
22:27	Pulis leaves Stoke
21:08	Sanogo relishing Arsenal move
21:05	Galtier signs extension at Saint-Etienne
20:32	Baines explains appearance record
20:28	Pulis future in doubt amid exit rumours
20:12	Swansea coach Tucker praises goalkeepers
19:25	West Ham sign Rat
19:10	McAuley eager to keep improving
18:43	Ribery keen to end career at Bayern
18:36	Reina plays down Barcelona speculation
18:20	De Boer agrees new Ajax deal
18:13	Sheffield United make McCall move
18:11	Heldt: Schalke interested in Santana
18:06	Messi urges Barcelona not to change
17:41	Manchester City agree MLS club deal with New York Yankees
16:57	Cech confident Chelsea will attract big names
16:48	Blackman urges Reading to be more ruthless
16:47	Montanier leaves Sociedad for Rennes
15:38	Rodgers pleased with Coutinho impact
15:30	Leonardo: Ibrahimovic and Silva to stay
15:08	Carroll thanks West Hams fans after loan spell
14:31	De Laurentiis confirms Dzeko interest
14:16	Wilshere dreams of England captaincy
14:14	Mourinho a ´scourge´ on Spanish football
14:02	Moratti will not rush decision on Stramaccioni´s future
13:43	Klopp warns Dortmund stars about leaving
12:44	Schneiderlin backs Southampton to improve
12:29	Podolski delighted with fourth spot
12:12	Sigurdsson targets improvement at Tottenham
11:17	Di Canio criticised by PFA chief
10:50	Steaua owner Becali jailed for three years
10:00	Hummels pledges future to Dortmund
09:46	Retiring Ferguson ´overwhelmed´ by recognition
09:31	J.League Preview: Top three expected to win
06:34	Argentine Primera Division Wrap: Tigre earn point at Lanus
06:21	Galtier wants Ancelotti to stay
06:09	Pique, Barca playing for record haul
04:41	Gazidis, Arsenal target silverware
03:17	Juan plots Inter redemption
03:08	Gibbs wants to build on strong finish
02:58	Racism will not drive out Drogba
02:28	Martinez coy on Wigan future
02:17	Fernandinho still seeking City switch
02:01	Roberto Carlos set to coach Sivasspor
00:13	Ferguson named LMA Manager of the Year

Monday 20 May

21:07	Inter, Roma fined for racist abuse
20:15	Mourinho in quotes
20:14	Real Madrid part company with Mourinho
20:03	Rodwell called up by England
19:40	Messi keen on Barca stay
18:39	Atletico Madrid ready to sell Falcao
18:35	Abbiati extends Milan deal
18:32	Terry misses Chelsea tour
18:30	Schwarzer unaware of new contract offer from Fulham
18:19	O´Brien proud of West Ham finish
17:34	Doncaster appoint Dickov as manager
17:07	Hearts avoid SPL points deduction
16:53	Galliani to hold talks with Allegri
16:52	Hill blasts Hughes´ QPR signings
16:36	Lampard: I have not performed at World Cups
16:20	Kacaniklic targets first-team place
16:13	Jardim replaces Ferreira at Sporting Lisbon
16:10	Indonesia fined for crowd trouble
15:57	Mignolet not worried about speculation
15:42	Neville uncertain on future
15:07	Hummels could make Champions League final
15:01	Napoli stars hail departing Mazzarri
14:44	Juninho: Donovan gets advantage with referees
14:32	Harper hails ´incredible´ reception
14:27	Giovinco not leaving Juve
14:21	Lambert ´proud´ of top-flight return
14:21	Torres targets improvement
14:06	Fernandinho wants to join Manchester City
13:49	Galliani relieved with Champions League spot
13:33	Stramaccioni bemoans injury-hit season
13:19	Lewandowski focused on Wembley
12:57	Reading owner confirms Pogrebnyak clause
12:51	Owen thanks Stoke for ´great experience´
12:36	Rizzoli to take charge of UEFA Champions League final
12:18	Raheem Sterling case dismissed
12:14	Schuerrle expects Leverkusen exit
12:03	Howson delighted with Norwich progress
11:53	Milan players targeted in Florence
11:32	Lukaku: Fans inspired my performances
11:24	Williams dismisses Arsenal links
10:52	Scolari: Neymar will be a Barcelona idol
10:45	David Luiz praises ´amazing´ Benitez
10:22	Walcott wants title tilt next term
10:12	Carragher´s final Liverpool appearance full of emotion
10:05	Carrick: United must move on from Ferguson
09:56	Villas-Boas confident Bale with stay at Tottenham
09:13	AFC Champions League Preview: Guangzhou eye last eight
08:26	Ecuador Primera A Wrap: Nahuelpan class buoys Barcelona
07:58	Liga MX Wrap: America, Cruz Azul reach final
07:53	MLS Wrap: Johnson does Dallas, Salt Lake sink Chivas
07:40	Peru Primera Division Wrap: Sporting Cristal shine on top
07:09	Paraguay Division Profesional Wrap: Melgarejo on a winner
06:48	Chile Primera Division Wrap: Top two win again
06:20	Colombia Primera A Wrap: Tolima strike late to go top
05:56	Costa Rica Primera Division: Cartagines v Herediano
05:24	Cahill in top form in New York
04:45	Henry: Galaxy were better than New York
04:35	Fulham plan Schwarzer solution talks
04:13	Vilanova staying, says Roura
04:05	Merrick joins Phoenix as coach
03:53	Juric signs with A-League´s Wanderers
03:14	Mazzarri leaves second-placed Napoli
03:03	Campeonato Paulista: Santos 1 Corinthians 1 (3-2 agg)
00:47	La Liga Wrap: Barcelona, Deportivo notch victories
00:40	Allegri refuses to be drawn on talk of future
00:32	Ibrahimovic, Ancelotti land Ligue 1 honours
00:09	Primeira Liga Wrap: Porto confirm title, Moreirense relegated

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