Going into their Champions League round of 16 second-leg match, Barcelona and Napoli are all square at 1-1 on the aggregate score line. Both teams put the ball in the net once in the first leg, and the game ended as it started, with both teams on level terms. Regarding their head-to-head records, Barcelona have won two of their last five matches, with the remaining three ending in draws, including their most recent meeting. This affair is far from over because of both teams’ recent form and the state of the aggregate scoreline. How will Barcelona Vs Napoli play out?
Barcelona
Barcelona has had two draws and three wins in its last five matches. While their most recent match was a 1-0 win against Mallorca in La Liga, they are performing at a much lower standard than most football fans have come to expect of them. With the league season nearly over and Barcelona out of nearly every cup competition they participated in, they will be looking to the Champions League to make something of their season before the eventual departure of head coach and club legend Xavi.
Barcelona Team News
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Barcelona has many players absent for this tie due to injuries. Joao Felix, Sergi Roberto, Ferran Torres, Alejandro Balde, Marcos Alonso, and Gavi are all ruled out of the upcoming match against Napoli. Meanwhile, Oriol Romeu remains unlikely to feature. Araujo and Pedri were also forced off the pitch during their last outing, which may affect their availability against Napoli on Tuesday.
Probable Lineup
Barcelona will likely adopt a 4-3-3 formation with Marc Andre Ter Stegen in goal. The backline will include Kounde and Cancelo as fullbacks and Cubarsi and Martinez as centerbacks. In midfield, Barcelona will have Gundogan, Pedri, and De Jong. The front three will feature Raphina and Roque as wingers and Robert Lewandowski upfront.
Napoli
![Osimhen](https://totalapexsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Osimhen.jpg)
Napoli has fallen quite a bit since winning the Scudetto last season and currently sits in seventh place in the Serie A table. In their last five matches, they have managed just two wins, including a 6-1 thrashing of Sassuolo and a 2-1 win over Juventus more recently. In their last five matches against Barcelona, they haven’t managed a single win, losing on two occasions and managing to draw three times. Both teams are even going into this away leg, so the match’s outcome determines who goes through to the next phase.
Napoli Team News
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Napoli has no glaring injuries to its top players, and the main team will be fit for this match. The Italian side will also get a huge boost from the return of Nigerian superstar Victor Osimhen. After starting every game for Nigeria in this year’s AFCON, the African player of the year was awarded a much-needed break but will return to action against Barcelona.
Probable Lineup
![](https://totalapexsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/gettyimages-1425007359-612x612-1.jpg)
Napoli will go with a 4-3-3 formation and have Meret between the sticks. The backline will have Di Lorenzo, Rrahamani, Jesus, and Rui. The midfield trio will be Anguissa, Lobotka, and Cajuste. In attack, Napoli will have Politano, Kvaratskhelia, and Osimhen.
Conclusion
This match could go either way, with both teams level on aggregate and in shaky form recently. However, Barcelona is the only team that has secured victories in the last five head-to-head matches between the two. Barcelona is also the home team; they are the likely favorites to go through. Barcelona Vs Napoli promises fireworks.