Tonight marks one of the most important nights for FC Barcelona this season, as the Catalans face Napoli in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Winning this tie and getting into the quarterfinals is one of the objectives for the Catalan club this season, and Xavi will be keen to achieve this objective so he can leave with his head held high.
Furthermore, this match will be important as this is the first time in three years that Barcelona are competing in the Round of 16, and the Catalans would want to clearly showcase the improvements they have made over the last two years.
However, Napoli will put up a significant obstacle in the Blaugranes’ way, and their quest to win this tie will be even more difficult as Xavi will be without two of his key starters in midfield, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who both had to endure injuries in the match against Athletic Club.
Thus, these two players are understandably not a part of the 22-man squad announced by Barcelona for this match. In their stead, the head coach has decided to rely on youngsters like Marc Casado and Unai Hernandez while other players like Marc Guiu and Hector Fort continue to be part of the first team.
The full squad announced by the club for the Napoli match is as follows:
Official Barcelona Squad List:
Goalkeepers:
- 1: Marc Andre Ter Stegen
- 2: Inaki Pena Sotorres
- 3: Ander Astralaga
Defenders:
- 1: Ronald Araujo
- 2: Jules Kounde
- 3: Joao Cancelo
- 4: Andreas Christensen
- 5: Inigo Martinez
- 6: Pau Cubarsi
- 7: Hector Fort
Midfielders:
- 1: Ilkay Gundogan
- 2: Fermin Lopez
- 3: Oriol Romeu
- 4: Sergi Roberto
- 5: Marc Casado
- 6: Unai Hernandez
Forwards:
- 1: Robert Lewandowski
- 2: Lamine Yamal
- 3: Raphinha
- 4: Joao Felix
- 5: Vitor Roque
- 6: Marc Guiu
Rested:
- None
Injured:
- 1: Gavi
- 2: Alejandro Balde
- 3: Ferran Torres
- 4: Pedri
- 5: Frenkie de Jong
- 6: Marcos Alonso
