It is decided that FC Barcelona will face off against an Italian side in the Champions League Round of 16. The team in question is none other than Napoli from Naples, led by Walter Mazzarri. For Barcelona, this will indeed be a great contest that will test their mettle to the fullest.
Having waited for this opportunity to finally thrive in the Champions League, Barcelona are now presented with that chance. After two long seasons away from the competition’s knockout stages, Barcelona will take on Napoli as their opponents in February.
A formidable opponent, as Mundo Deportivo highlights, Napoli can cause Barcelona several problems. The prime threat that La Blaugrana will undoubtedly need to look out for is the partnership of Victor Osimhem and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. The striker from Nigeria and the Georgian winger are among Europe’s elite attackers, and will surely test Barcelona.
While this Napoli side is not the powerhouse from Italy that it was last season, this duo has remained consistent. A former winner of the African ‘Ballon d’Or’, Osimhen is a top striker. Having been the top scorer of the Serie A last season with 26 goals, he has already scored 7 goals this season as well.
Moreover, the Napoli striker also has a goal in the Champions League this season. A powerful forward, his combination play with Kavaratskhelia will definitely be something Barcelona will need to keep an eye out on. However, they are not the only ones who make Napoli play well.
The midfielders of the Italian club are also reliable performers. Stanislav Lobotka, Frank Anguissa, and Piotr Zielinski all combine to create a synchronized midfield in the middle of the pitch. Adding to this quality up on the field is Napoli’s strong goalkeeper, Alex Meret. An Italian by origin, the goalkeeper is seen as a very dependable asset for the Serie A side.
However, their defense is highlighted by MD as a bit of a weak link. This should motivate Barcelona and help them better take advantage of this weakness. Moreover, recent changes at the managerial level also indicate a sign of instability in the club. Current head coach Walter Mazzarri just replaced Rudi Garcia in November of this year.
Moreover, the club has not lived up to the quality that they showcased last season. Currently sitting at fifth place in Serie A, they also managed to lose both encounters against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League group stages. Despite that, however, Barcelona will undoubtedly need to be aware of their Italian opposition’s danger.
