The second leg of the Europa League RO32 tie between Barcelona and Napoli will now move on to Naples, where the fate of the tie will be decided.
Barcelona had to settle for a potentially damaging 1-1 draw in the first leg of the tie. Napoli did well until the end of the first half but had no answers to the questions asked by Barcelona in the second half. The former La Liga champions had an off-day in front of the goal and Napoli will consider themselves lucky for getting away with a 1-1 draw.
This time around though, it will not be easy for the home side to beat an increasingly convincing Barcelona outfit. Post the Napoli draw, Barcelona romped their way to a convincing 4-1 win over Valencia at the Mestalla. Napoli on the other hand were held to a 1-1 draw by Cagliari in the Serie A.
With the away goals rule scrapped, one would assume that Napoli do hold the advantage heading into the tie but as it stands, theoretically, it is all even-stevens. It will be a tough environment to play in, for Barcelona but going by recent form, they start as the favorites.
Napoli vs Barcelona – Team News
Napoli
Lorenzo Insigne has suffered an injury and did not train on Monday. The Italian though is expected to return to the side for this all-important clash. Having said that, Matteo Politano, Hirving Lozano, Stanislav Lobotka, and, Axel Tuanzebe have all been ruled out of this fixture.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Anguissa are also doubtful for this fixture and Napoli could potentially enter the game with no natural right-back in their XI.
Barcelona
Ronald Araujo is expected to start despite missing the away fixture at Mestalla. Samuel Umtiti, Ansu Fati, Sergi Roberto, Alejandro Balde, and Eric Garcia have all been ruled out with injury.
Memphis Depay and Clement Lenglet, despite nearing full fitness are unlikely to be given game-time.
Also, Xavi could return to Ousmane Dembele as a starter on the right flank, carrying the same attack from the game at Valencia. Sergino Dest will also start.
Napoli vs Barcelona – predicted lineups
Napoli – Meret, Rui, Koulibaly, Rrahmani, Zanoli, Ruiz, Demme, Insigne, Zielinski, Elmas, Osimhen
Barcelona – Ter Stegen, Alba, Pique, Araujo, Dest, Frenkie, Pedri, Gavi, Ferran, Aubameyang, Dembele
Napoli vs Barcelona – Key players
Napoli – Victor Osimhen
There is no doubt that Osimhen will have a big role to play if Napoli are to progress to the next round. Osimhen was a constant threat in Barcelona’s defensive third in the first leg. With Insigne not at his 100%, Osimhen will have to shoulder the goal-scoring responsibility. His pace will be a key factor in deciding the outcome of this clash. Osimhen has also been firing an average of 2.8 shots per game on goal and Barcelona will be aware of it. The attacker will look to take advantage of a slow Barca backline.
Barcelona – Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo seems to be the only Barca defender that can stop Victor Osimhen. Araujo has been the best player for the Catalan giants this season by far. He has established himself as a mainstay in the Barca backline. Araujo’s presence at Naples is of vital importance for the visitors. The 22-year-old’s imposing physicality makes it difficult to get past him. With that said, Araujo also offers an aerial threat when it comes to corners and free-kicks. He has been averaging 1.3 tackles and 2.1 clearances per game.
Score Prediction
Barcelona 2-0.
