Barcelona faced a setback as Napoli held them to a draw in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 clash. Despite dominating much of the match without reaching exceptional heights, Barcelona took a deserved lead in the 60th minute through Robert Lewandowski. Victor Osimhen, marking his return to Napoli’s lineup, leveled the score 15 minutes later, concluding the game in a 1-1 draw.
The upcoming second leg on March 12 remains an open contest for both teams.
Game Recap:
Napoli supporters anticipated a potential resurgence following Walter Mazzarri’s departure, but their sluggish start established an initially lackluster display in the Champions League.
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Barcelona effectively countered Napoli’s build-up, consistently regaining possession high up the pitch. Despite the craft of Ilkay Gundogan and Joao Cancelo’s dynamism on the left flank, Barcelona couldn’t convert their dominance into a decisive goal.
Xavi’s tactical choice to deploy Pedri as a fourth central midfielder granted Barcelona complete control of the midfield, overwhelming Napoli’s trio. However, their superiority lacked efficiency, and Napoli’s goalkeeper, Alex Meret, faced limited challenges. Conversely, the hosts struggled to exert pressure on the Catalan visitors.
Barcelona’s superiority was eventually rewarded with Robert Lewandowski’s well-executed play inside the Napoli box, giving them a deserved lead. A comfortable away victory seemed likely, but Victor Osimhen’s unexpected equalizer injected excitement into the match, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling conclusion.
Following Osimhen’s goal, Napoli enjoyed their brightest spell as Barcelona’s momentum waned. However, opportunities were scarce at both ends of the pitch. With the honors even in Naples, the return leg in Barcelona promises an intriguing battle next month.