Napoli are confronting a critical Champions League test as they prepare to host Chelsea on Wednesday, struggling with injuries and a faltering Serie A campaign.

The Italian side sit just above the elimination zone with eight points from seven matches following last week’s 1-1 draw at FC Copenhagen, making victory against Chelsea essential for a place in next month’s play-offs.

Chelsea, managed by former Napoli coach Antonio Conte, also need a win to secure direct qualification for the last 16. Napoli’s task is compounded by a 3-0 defeat at Juventus on Sunday, which left the defending Italian champions nine points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan.

Speaking ahead of the match, McTominay highlighted the impact of injuries on Napoli’s squad. “For us it (injuries) is something that we have to accept, it’s a difficult situation which is not easy to manage. It’s difficult for the staff and the players to continue with that rhythm,” he said.

“But it’s part of the game, you have to accept it, you have to turn up as often as you can for the ones that are ready and prepared to play. Tomorrow night the absolute maximum of our level of performance is going to be required.”

Conte’s hopes of defending the Serie A title have been hampered by physical problems across his squad from the start of the season. Romelu Lukaku suffered a pre-season hamstring injury and only returned in Sunday’s loss, while goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic is sidelined with a hamstring issue, and winger David Neres underwent ankle surgery in London, likely keeping him out until April.

Other key absences include Kevin De Bruyne, out since October following right hamstring surgery, and midfielder Andre-Frank Anguissa, who missed the Juventus game due to back problems. Conte described the situation as an ongoing emergency.

“We started with the idea that the emergency would finish, the problem is that the emergency hasn’t finished, in fact it’s got worse,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Conte expressed confidence in his players’ resilience. “The boys are doing something incredible which goes unnoticed because of where we are in the league and results,” he said.

Lukaku’s return offers a boost, giving the striker an opportunity to face Chelsea, where he struggled four years ago.

Last season, 11 points were sufficient to progress from the group stage, suggesting that a win could secure Napoli’s passage and provide some respite for a squad under mounting pressure.