Barcelona will look to extend their unbeaten away record in La Liga when they travel to face Napoli in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 tie on Wednesday night.
The Blaugrana are currently riding a strong run of form on the road, having amassed seven victories and five draws in La Liga this season. They also impressed in the Champions League group stage, going unbeaten with four wins and two draws. This included a convincing 5-0 victory against Antwerp, highlighting their attacking prowess.
Napoli, last season’s Serie A champions, will be eager to bounce back from a disappointing domestic campaign. Their Champions League journey began with a mixed bag of results, but they secured qualification with a 2-0 win over Braga in the final group stage fixture. The Partenopei possess a diverse attacking line-up, with eight different players finding the net in the tournament so far.
The encounter promises to be a fascinating tactical duel. Barcelona, under the guidance of Xavi, are known for their possession-based approach, while Napoli, led by Luciano Spalletti, favor a more pragmatic and counter-attacking style. Key players like Robert Lewandowski for Barcelona and Victor Osimhen for Napoli will be crucial in their respective team’s quest for victory.
Historically, Barcelona holds the upper hand, having defeated Napoli 4-2 on aggregate in the Round of 16 during the 2019-20 Champions League campaign. However, Napoli will be buoyed by their strong home record this season, having lost only once at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The first leg is evenly poised, with bookmakers favoring Barcelona slightly at +145 odds compared to Napoli’s +180. Whether experience prevails over youthful exuberance, or tactics trump individual brilliance, remains to be seen. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, and the encounter promises to be a captivating prelude to the second leg and a potential Champions League glory for either team.
Why you should back Barcelona?
Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign in dominant fashion, outscoring their opponents 8-1 and securing three consecutive victories in the group stage. Portuguese forward Joao Felix led the charge for the reigning La Liga champions, netting a brace in their 5-0 win against Antwerp. Winger Ferran Torres also chipped in with crucial goals against Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk. Both Felix and Torres currently share the top scorer position for Barcelona in the competition with three goals each, while midfielder Ilkay Gundogan sits at the top of the assist table with three contributions.
Despite his impressive domestic form, where he recently scored four goals in three La Liga matches, veteran striker Robert Lewandowski has struggled to replicate his success in the Champions League. The 35-year-old currently holds only one goal in his five UCL appearances, although he has managed to contribute five assists in La Liga. Notably, Gundogan remains a key creative force, currently tied for fourth in the league with a career-high six assists.
As Barcelona prepares to face Napoli in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, all eyes will be on whether they can maintain their strong start and overcome the challenge of a determined opponent. Lewandowski’s form in the European competition will be closely watched, with his contributions potentially having a significant impact on their overall success.
Why you should back Napoli?
Reigning Serie A champions Napoli enter the Champions League knockout stages aiming to build on their best-ever run in the competition. Reaching the quarterfinals in 2022-23 before falling to AC Milan, Napoli now seek to go further this time around.
Their attacking options are diverse, with eight different players finding the net in the Champions League group stage. Victor Osimhen, the 25-year-old Nigerian striker who topped Serie A scoring charts last season with 26 goals, currently leads the team with seven strikes in all competitions.
While Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, the exciting 23-year-old Georgian winger, didn’t find the net in the group stage, he has contributed six goals in Serie A this season. He also demonstrates offensive versatility with three assists, tying him with Matteo Politano for second on the team in both categories.
Another key offensive contributor is defender Giovanni Di Lorenzo, who leads the team with five assists in domestic league play. Adding to his versatility, he has also chipped in with a goal and an assist in the Champions League.