Napoli boss Benitez under pressure; Mazzarri wants Inter reponse
Attention will be focused on Walter Mazzarri and Rafael Benitez, managers of Inter Milan and Napoli respectively, in the Europa League this week.
Mazzarri, whose side host Azerbaijani outfit Qarabag, is hoping to spark a response after his side were thrashed 4-1 at the San Siro by Cagliari in Serie A last weekend.
Inter have already made a positive start in Group F after winning 1-0 at Dnipro in their opening game.
"We just need to work, get back up again quickly, show our spirit and fight like a great team does," Mazzarri told reporters after Sunday's loss. "We have to start again and be strong for the Europa League clash on Thursday."
Ukrainian side Dnipro travel to Saint-Etienne, who opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Qarabag.
Benitez remains under pressure at Napoli after failing to qualify for the Champions League and suffering a disappointing start in Serie A.
The situation may have eased slightly after a victory over bottom side Sassuolo last weekend but Benitez, who won the Europa League with Chelsea in 2013, is still in the spotlight.
This Thursday he takes his side to Slovakia to face Slovan Bratislava in Group I.
The match will also see Napoli midfielder Marek Hamsik return to the club where he began his professional career.
Napoli already have three points to their name after beating Sparta Prague 3-1 in their opener.
Sparta now host Young Boys, who thrashed Slovan 5-0 last time out.
Holders Sevilla, who began their title defence with a 2-0 home win over Feyenoord in Group G, are in action in Croatia at HNK Rijeka.
Sevilla could look to the exploits of their rivals Real Betis for clues as to their opponents, with their neighbours having drawn twice with Rijeka in last year's competition.
Standard Liege, the other side in the group, will look to follow up their opening win as they host Feyenoord.
In Group H, German side Wolfsburg, who were thrashed 4-1 at Everton in their first game, will hope to kickstart their challenge as they host Lille. The French side have not won any of their last nine away fixtures in the competition.
In Group C Partizan Belgrade, who drew 0-0 at home to Tottenham a fortnight ago, will look for their first win as they travel to Greek side Asteras Tripoli.
There is an interesting reunion in Group A as Lucien Favre, the Borussia Monchengladbach boss, takes his side to former club FC Zurich.
Favre led Zurich to their first Swiss title in 25 years in 2006 and then successfully defended it before moving to Hertha Berlin, and then Monchengladbach.
Both sides will be looking for their first win with Monchengladbach having drawn 1-1 at home to Villarreal last time out while Zurich were beaten 3-2 by Apollon Limassol.
In Group D, Salzburg, who drew 2-2 at home to Celtic, travel to Romanian side Astra Giurgiu.