UCL RO16: Napoli Vs FC Barcelona Preview, Team News and Prediction

February 21, 2024
Ankit Chakraborty
Sports
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Napoli will host Barcelona at Stadio Maradona on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16.

Both clubs, eternally tied by Diego Maradona, won their respective domestic championships last season; yet, none has mounted a strong title defence or excelled in the group stage. In the previous season, Napoli reached the quarter-finals and this year they finished as runners-up in Group C. Despite this, with three victories in their last four matches against Braga and Union Berlin, they secured a spot in the knockout rounds.

The Serie A team will now aim to secure a win against Barcelona, a team they have struggled to beat in their past three encounters over the last five seasons. Though Walter Mazzarri was back in November, the Partenopei remain a relic of their former glory and are currently in jeopardy of missing out on European qualification. He coached his last game two days earlier before Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona, a former Napoli coach, became the club’s third manager as a short-term hire until June.

The draw against Genoa kept the Partenopei’s home unbeaten streak intact, as they have not lost any of their last five league games at Stadio Maradona.In the 2021-22 Europa League playoffs, Barcelona won their latest ‘Maradona derby’ 4-2. This week, history favours them. First time in three years, Barcelona lead Group H. Barcelona has been inconsistent this season behind La Liga and Copa del Rey.

Xavi, the head coach, has confirmed that he will be departing the club at the end of this season. Barcelona, currently in third place in Spain, is facing challenges in their title defence following their victory last year. Barcelona has a more disappointing record in the Champions League knockout stages compared to their performance in away matches in domestic competitions. They have only won one of their previous 10 games, scoring four goals and failing to score in six.

Napoli Team News

Victor Osimhen started all seven games as Nigeria advanced to the Africa Cup of Nations final, and after a brief rest to recoup from his efforts in Ivory Coast, Napoli’s main striker is back in action.

Osimhen should replace misfiring striker Giovanni Simeone right away, and with Juan Jesus returning from his Serie A suspension, Francesco Calzona has a completely available roster to pick from.

Pasquale Mazzocchi, Cyril Ngonge, and Hamed Traore were all named to the hosts’ UEFA squad following the group stage, while Piotr Zielinski, who is poised to move on a free transfer this summer, was left out.

FC Barcelona Team News

Meanwhile, Barcelona will be without Alejandro Balde, Gavi, Marcos Alonso, Sergi Roberto, and Ferran Torres due to injuries, while Joao Felix remains uncertain with an ankle ailment.

Vitor Roque, the Blaugrana’s big January signing, could make his Champions League debut, while fellow youngster Lamine Yamal will look to become the first 16-year-old to score in the competition.

Both might play with Robert Lewandowski, who has not scored in four Champions League appearances but has scored in his previous three league games and is Barcelona’s leading scorer this season with 17 goals.

Head-To-Head

Out of the 5 matches played, Barcelona were victorious 3 times and 2 matches ended in statement which leaves Napoli still hunting for their first win against the Blaungranes.