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Barça was prematurely exhausted as it woke up from league lethargy with the fanfare of the Champions League. Against a small rival that had a new coach and, like Napoli, is in ninth place in its league, Xavi's team conceded a bittersweet draw because they feared defeat in the end after initially aiming for a clear victory on Maradona's field. The sloppiness of each day gave way to a serious performance in the second leg, three years after returning to the last 16 of the European Cup. Despite limiting concessions and having the best chances, Barcelona fans lacked the power, maturity and size to overcome a Naples side that scored with virtually the only shot between Ter Stegen's three posts.
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Alex Meret, Juan Jesus, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Mathías Olivera, Jens Ctrabajo (Hamed Junior Traore, Min. 67), Lobotka, Franck Zambo, Victor Osimhen (Giovanni Simeone, Min. 76), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (Jesper Lindstrom, Min. 68) and Politano (Giacomo Raspadori, Min. 76)
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Ter Stegen, Óigo Martínez, Cancelo, Koundé, Ronald Araújo, Gündogan, A. Christensen (Oriol Romeu, min. 86), Frenkie De Jong, Lamine Yamal, Pedri (Joé Félix, min. 86) and Lewandowski
Goals 0-1 min 60: Lewandowski. 1-1 min 75: Victor Osimhen.
referee Felix Zwayer
Yellow cards Frenkie De Jong (min. 15), Åigo Martínez (min. 75) and A. Christensen (min. 78)
Xavi feared Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia more than Naples and Osimhen. The coach increased the defensive vigilance by deploying three central defenders, with Iñigo Martínez and without Cubarsí, while Christensen remained in central midfield, a step behind the three creative midfielders: Gündogan, De Jong and Pedri. Experienced players achieve a good result in front of Montjuïc. The Blaugrana are not yet a confident team, but they need to gain confidence through possession, control and pressure in order to come into contact with the destabilizing Yamal.
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Napoli withdrew in the face of Barça's proposal, which was very well developed around Gündogan. Not much is known about Calzona other than that he is very cautious about retreating, even though his teams operate from a classic 4-3-3. The ball and the pace of the game were at the mercy of Barcelona and therefore at the mercy of Xavi's players. The arrival of Cancelo and shots from Yamal, Lewandowski and Gündogan followed each other before Meret scored the decisive goal. The Blaugrana only needed precision to complete their good performance after defeating Osimhen and Kvaratskhelia with the defense of Koundé, who watched the Georgian as a winger, and Araujo.
The Blaugrana's off-the-ball play was more effective than usual and when they lost, the media intervened with a tactical foul, especially Christensen. The Italian teams and also Naples know how to play very well with a 0-0 draw, a result that ultimately brought despair to the Barcelona fans, who gradually lost intensity and gave up the field and the ball to keep Ter Stegen tidy To defend . The Blaugrana eventually parted ways at half-time and Napoli came back bravely to the satisfaction of the fans at the Maradona Stadium. Now it was Barcelona who went on the counterattack with Yamal breaking free from the harassment of Calzona's team.
The goal came at the moment when Barça football had continuity with the appearance of the crucial link, Pedri. The Canary's final pass was made possible by Lewandoski. The Pole controlled the ball, turned and crossed into Meret's net. The effectiveness of the striker, who scored in the fourth game in a row, his 18th goal, reactivated Xavi's team in February. To the surprise of the fans, the 0-1 was the turning point when Calzona substituted Kvaratskhelia, but Koundé failed. However, Napoli aggressively took the initiative and Barcelona became nervous, as if they wanted the game to end and needed Xavi's intervention. He didn't have time because Osimhen equalized.
The Nigerian, fresh from the Africa Cup of Nations, prevailed against Áigo Martínez and beat Ter Stegen. A shot and a goal for a Naples revived by the hand of Calzona.
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There was no trace of the Blaugrana, who had dominated the game until the score was 0-1. The Italians, on the other hand, were more of a team, more supportive and physical, without their individualities, Osimhen also replaced. Barça did not stop conceding corners in Ter Stegen's goal in a difficult end to the game.
The tension and concentration in defense saved a team that doesn't know how to rest on the ball or finish Gündogan's last chance. Although the draw may seem like a good result, due to its worrying nature and low reliability, it is no guarantee of the return of a Barça that has improved in Europe and is lagging behind in the league.
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