ANDl game tonight against Napoli has become a definitive test for the Barcelona. Here there are no half measures, either the team goes to the next round or is eliminated and is left without a new title. The consequences between one case and another are diametrically opposed and the rest of the season will be absolutely marked by what happens in the stadium Diego Armando Maradona in front of Spalletti’s team.
At Can Barça everyone knows that the company is very complicated. Since the draw took place, everyone talked about the bad luck that the Barça team had because it is a match more typical of the Champions than the Europa League. In addition, Barcelona missed the opportunity to get the tie back on track in the first leg. had countless occasions to score, but he could only do it from a penalty. To Barça, Napoli escaped alive from the Camp Nou.
However, Xavi’s men arrive with good sensations to Italy. The team is improving over time and nobody rules out the honor of leaving Napoli eliminated in their own fiefdom. The Mestalla match served for the team to meet again with the goal. He was accurate and after half an hour he had already scored three goals. Yes in front of Naples in the first leg or Espanyol in the League, Barça lacked a goal, both in Valencia and against Atletico Madrid the team plugged them in. The question is what Barcelona will we see tonight in the old San Paolo.
What is clear is that a victory would mean a significant morale boost. The team, which has failed in most of its decisive games this season, you need to be happy. A victory would mean going to the round of 16, having more time to continue improving and continuing with a continental title in sight.
title at stake
Quite the opposite would happen if a new defeat is added. Would the umpteenth disaster of the season and, barring a miracle, stay a year without a title. It escapes no one that the League is a utopia. Although many talk about the option of winning it every time Real Madrid drops a point, the reality is that Barcelona lacks the consistency to enter into a dynamic of winning everything that would be necessary to qualify for this title. In Can Barça everyone knows it. The options of winning a title this season go through eliminate Napoli and continue in the Europa League.
Xavi finds himself again with numerous casualties for today’s clash. Sergi Roberto, Ansu Fati, Memphis, Lenglet and Umtiti They have been injured for a long time. won’t play either Daniel Alves. The Brazilian has not been entered in the competition. But this is nothing new for the coach because since he arrived he has seen how his players suffered countless injuries, in addition to casualties due to covid.
Pique returns
At least get back Gerard Piqué. The center-back was not in Valencia when he served the penalty match that fell to him for his expulsion in Cornellá. The experience of the Barça second captain will be vital in a clash of this caliber. The doubts for Xavi are precisely in the defense. It will be necessary to see if he plays destination or not. The coach was very happy with his performance in the last game, but he could bring in Araujo on the side. And the presence of the Uruguayan in the band conditions who will be Piqué’s partner: Araujo, Eric or even Mingueza.
In attack, the doubt lies in whether he will start with three strikers or will put Gavi as a false winger. In this case, and after the two goals he scored aubameyang in Valencia, everything indicates that Ferran Torres could be the sacrificed of the starting eleven.
At Napoli, Spalletti recovers Distinguished already Politan. The latter could not play the first leg at the Camp Nou. The one who will not be is Malcuit as he is injured.
