Barça face off this evening (9pm) a test of height against Napoli, which will test the aim of the Barça strikers in a match in which, after a draw at the Camp Nou (1-1), the only victory they need is to get a ticket to the round of 16 of the Europa League. The Italian city will host the duel in a stadium named after Diego Armando Maradona, the legend of Naples after wearing the Barça shirt for two seasons. “It would be a great disappointment to be eliminated,” admits Xavi.
It will be a demanding duel for both teams, that only two seasons ago (2019-20) they crossed paths in the round of 16 of the Champions League with a result in favor of Barça. This time, in the Europa League, it will be very different. Xavi Hernández will have to play another daring game, without giving up the ball – as will Luciano Spalletti’s team – although the key will be in the areas.
In the first leg, Barça dominated with a very bold forward pressure, but their attackers lacked gunpowder to materialize the 21 chances they generated. Only Ferran Torres, from the penalty spot, saw a goal in a denied night in the face of a goal that contrasts with the effectiveness shown in the last league match against Valencia (1-4).
In the Mestalla, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang uncovered as a 9 guarantee for Xavi with a hat-trick, while Pedri played in the second half to tame the reaction of the rival with the ball. Unsurprisingly, the Canarian midfielder will start Diego Armando Maradona. Ferran Torres has also become a fixture in the lineups of the Egarenc coach. The Valencian has five consecutive titles between the two competitions, so it is not ruled out that he will start on the bench. Xavi will not be able to count on the injured Memphis Depay, Clement Lenglet, Sergi Roberto and Ansu Fati, as well as Dani Alves, who is not registered to play in the Europa League.
For their part, Napoli are still looking forward to recovering with positive feelings after two consecutive draws in less than a week against Barça and Cagliari, in Serie A, a result that prevented them from assaulting the leadership of the league. Nigerian Víctor Osimhen will return to the starting line-up to be the reference in attack and Fabián Ruiz will be the one to take the baton in the middle of the field full of casualties. The most likely absence of Frank Anguissa would be joined by that of Slovak Stanislav Lobotka and Mexican Hirving Lozano.
The day in the Europa League
Apart from Napoli-Barça, seven more Europa League matches will be played today. Real Sociedad will host Leipzig at the Reale Arena (6.45pm) after the first leg draw (2-2), while Sevilla will visit Dinamo Zagreb (6.45pm) and Betis will face Zenith to Benito Villamarín (9 p.m.). Julen Lopetegui’s side are on track after beating Sánchez Pizjuán 3-1, as is Betis, who also won 2-3 at home.
