With 11 consecutive wins and just one short of setting a new club record, it is clear for all to see just how good this Napoli team is. Currently leading Serie A and Champions League Group A by three points, respectively, the superlatives keep coming the more you delve into the form guide. 

Luciano Spalletti’s side are unbeaten so far this season with two draws in the league  representing their only blemish - and a very minor one at that - over the course of 15 games, including convincing victories in all four Champions League ties up to this point.

Our reporter Derek Clark was in the Eternal City to see them comprehensively outplay UEFA Conference League holders Roma on their own patch. Jose Mourinho's side, which is packed with world-class striking talent, was so well marshaled they failed to register a single shot on target.

Rangers have to approach this game with a sense of realism, taking into account the stark contrasts with a much superior opponent. No one wants to be defeatist or pessimistic for the sake of it but the reality of the situation cannot be ignored, especially with the ghosts of Liverpool at Ibrox still fresh in the mind and lingering in the team’s expression at present. The priority has to be to limit and frustrate the hosts for as long as possible, whilst finding a way to get up the pitch. If a defence versus attack situation unfolds, the outcome will be inevitable.

This is a very tough encounter on its own merits, as other visitors have discovered at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium this season. Only Lecce have returned back to base with something to show for their efforts, with a 1-1 draw at the end of August. 

Daunting. 

Damage limitation

In football, anything can happen. Rangers could get a result in Napoli but for that to unfold, everything would need to go in their favour with a collapse in form for the Partenopei - it just doesn’t add up. A shock win or even a draw for the Gers would be lauded. Realistically, that is not going to happen. Rangers have to go into this game looking to limit the hosts. It will be a job requiring organisation and cohesion right through the team in order to secure a respectable result, especially with confidence in very short supply. An early goal could open the floodgates, Rangers have to learn from recent mistakes or they will pay the price. This is a case of damage limitation.

Tipping Point

Giovanni van Bronckhorst stated post-match on Saturday that he believes he can still turn things around, that his team can reverse this period of barren form. The mounting evidence suggests otherwise but he can only buy himself some time with wins and in the case of Wednesday night, an encouraging performance. Conversely, matters could be taken out of his control if Rangers suffer another heavy defeat in the manner of Liverpool with a continuation of the recent domestic lethargy. If that happens, the Dutchman will be in a very precarious position. The same will apply looking ahead to Aberdeen on Saturday even if the trip to Italy is completed with an element of respectability in defeat. There is no room left for error ahead of the World Cup break. 

Wooden spoon awaits

This one hurts for all of those with the best interests of Rangers at heart. As it stands, van Bronckhorst is presiding over the worst team in this season’s Champions League group stage. Like the Gers, Viktoria Plzen have failed to register a point over the four games so far but the Czech side have at least scored three goals. Conceding 16, their -13 goal difference is marginally better than the -16 held with ignominy at Ibrox. At the very least, pride is at stake next week at home to Ajax as well as a significant financial boost if a win can be secured. Europa League hopes hang by a thread, given the three-point lead that the Dutch champions hold in third place in Group A. Liverpool need to win from a Rangers perspective if anything is to happen, as well as securing a point against Napoli. It is the proverbial mountain to climb.