Key Details For Thursday’s Napoli Encounter

Fans
15 Sep 2021
3 Minutes
Italian giants Napoli are the first visitors to Leicester City Stadium for the Foxes’ opening 2021/22 UEFA Europa League group stage fixture.

Both sides competed in European competition last season, falling at the same hurdle, bowing out of the Europa League at the Round of 32 stage. Encouraging starts to their respective league campaigns in England and Italy make this encounter an intriguing first meeting between the Group C rivals.

Before the 8pm kick-off gets underway in Leicester, LCFC.com provides all the information you need…

Who's starring on LCFC TV?

A goalscorer in the UEFA Cup, ex-City defender Gerry Taggart will form part of the LCFC TV team on Thursday.

From 6:30pm, Matchday Live begins across @LCFC social media channels and on LCFC.com, with presenter Dan Bates being joined by ex-City stars Gerry Taggart and Iwan Roberts for an hour and a half of pre-match analysis and previews.

Live commentary will be provided from 7:50pm as commentator Niall McCaughan and former Leicester captain Matt Elliott talk you through all the action. After full-time, Elliott will join the discussion with Taggart and Roberts to assess the Club's 2021/22 European bow.

While in-play coverage is available exclusively on LCFC.com, all pre and post-match conversation can be located on @LCFC social media.

What's the officiating team?

The man in the middle for City's Europa League opener is Portuguese referee Tiago Martins.

Tiago Martins, of Portugal, will be the referee on Thursday, assisted by fellow countrymen Luis Campos and Bruno Jesus. The fourth official, Vitor Ferreira, is also from Portugal.

The video assistant referee (VAR) is Spain’s Alejandro Hernandez Hernandez, with Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez acting as the assistant.

When does everything happen?

Leicester City are entering their second successive UEFA Europa League campaign after reaching the knockout stages in 2020/21.

Use this guide of the day’s events to ensure you don’t miss out on any of the action…

Event Time
Matchday Live starts on LCFC TV 6:30pm
Team news confirmed on @LCFC social media 7pm
Commentary starts on LCFC Radio 7:50pm
Kick-off 8pm
Full-time 9:45pm approx
Two-minute goals video on LCFC TV 12am (Friday)
Full highlights on LCFC TV 12am (Saturday)


What do I need to know if I'm coming?

The Club's latest European adventure begins on home soil this week, with supporters set to be in attendance at Leicester City Stadium.

The Club encourages supporters attending matches to arrive early due to the COVID-19 certification spot checks taking place at entry points and as requested in the Club’s new Supporter Code of Conduct.

To ensure the safety of everyone in attendance and to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the spot checks will ask everyone over the age of 18 to confirm their COVID-19 status by:

- Demonstrating their COVID-19 Pass via the NHS App, PDF or NHS letter;
- Showing proof of a negative lateral flow or PCR test result from within the previous 48 hours; or
- Declaring an exemption from COVID-19 vaccinations and/or testing.

The spot check rules apply to everyone attending fixtures at Leicester City Stadium over the age of 18. For more information, click HERE.

What happened last time against Napoli?

Leicester City and SSC Napoli and joined by Spartak Moskva and Legia Warszawa in Group C.

This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between the two sides. The reverse fixture at Diego Armando Maradona, Napoli is set for Thursday 9 December (5:45pm kick-off).

When can I catch match highlights?

The Foxes got off to the perfect start last term, beating Zorya Luhansk 3-0 in their opening group match.

From midnight on Friday, approximately two hours after full-time, fans can access a short highlights package video on LCFC TV, which will be available to watch for free to Digital Members via the Club's official website (free sign-up).

Extended highlights will also be published on LCFC TV from midnight (12am) on Saturday, while the goals will be posted on @LCFC social channels from on Monday.  

All times BST unless stated otherwise.