Napoli went on the road and got a great result at Barcelona on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League knockout round play-offs. Luciano Spalletti's side drew Barca, 1-1, at the Camp Nou after scoring the opening goal of the night through Piotr Zielinski. Barcelona were the best side for most of the game, especially in the second half when Xavi's side managed to score with Ferran Torres on a penalty kick. But Barca failed to add to their scoreline and things will be all square heading to Naples next week with a spot in the UEL round of 16 on the line.
Barcelona had moments in the first half as well, especially through Torres and recent addition Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Napoli waited to spring the counterattack, and Zielinksi pounced on an opportunity, rocketing his own rebound into the back of the net.
Napoli struggled to find space in the second half, as Spalletti's team lost physicality and dropped the pace as well.
Xavi's side, on the contrary, dominated the final 45 minutes and found the equalizer thanks to VAR ruling a handball on defender Juan Jesus. Torres stepped to the spot and made it 1-1 in the 59th minute.
Barcelona continued to be very dangerous in the last part of the match with some huge chances with Torres and Luuk de Jong missing strong looks.
The second leg is set for Feb. 24 and will be streaming on Paramount+.
| Name | Minutes | How did they do? | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
(GK) Marc-Andre ter Stegen | 90 | Made three saves on the night and nearly had a clean sheet, had it not been for the rebound. But he did his job to help his team get the draw. | 7 |
(DEF) Oscar Mingueza | 81 | Led his team in tackles with six but only converted 28.6% of them. Looked strong in the air though and led his team with 12 duels won. This isn't good news for Sergino Dest. | 6 |
(DEF) Gerard Pique | 90 | Did well enough but rarely had to worry about anything in the air. Had an interception and a clearance. He couldn't do anything on the goal, but the effort was there. | 6 |
(DEF) Eric Garcia | 90 | Not his best display defensively. Rarely looked confident in his tackling, but he did intercept the ball four times. He struggled with Napoli's speed. On the ball, his passing was precise. | 6 |
(DEF) Jordi Alba | 90 | The fullback did not get forward as much as he would have liked, creating just one chance. The ball went down the right side more often, meaning he had little to contribute going forward, especially when Ferran would push out wide. | 5 |
(MID) Nico Gonzalez | 90 | The youngster had his moments. Created a chance and had a half-decent scoring chance as well. He remains superb in making sure his passes reach the right person, rarely turning it over. | 6 |
(MID) Frenkie de Jong | 65 | Not his most impactful performance. The Dutchman did create a bit, but his passing in the final third could have been better. He was replaced after the hour mark. | 5 |
(MID) Pedri | 90 | Superb from the young superstar in terms of creating. He created five chances on the night and really should have gotten an assist from Ferran Torres. Did everything he needed to do. | 8 |
(FWD) Adama Traore | 65 | Never got going. Had a chance created and a shot but touched the ball just 39 times. Taken off after the hour mark and rightfully so. | 4 |
(FWD) Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang | 86 | Decent from the former Arsenal man, but it wasn't a vintage display by any means. The passing was poor at times, but he did create and get into dangerous spots. He needs to shoot quicker. | 5 |
(FWD) Ferran Torres | 90 | That was a rollercoaster. He scored once, off a penalty, but boy did he blow some great chances. Torres should have scored the winner, missing a great chance late. Put just one of his nine shots on goal. | 6 |
| Substitutes | Replaced | How did they do? | Rating |
Sergio Busquets | de Jong (65') | Came in and really helped his team keep possession, helping them set up some late chances at goal. | 7 |
Ousmane Dembele | Traore (65') | In 25 minutes, he had one shot that wasn't close and his passing wasn't crisp. | 5 |
Gavi | Gonzalez (65') | Never really got involved in his short stint on the pitch but positioned himself well and brought energy. | 6 |
| Sergino Dest | Mingueza (81') | Frustrating getting nine minutes because your manager starts a centerback over you at right back. Quite telling. Not enough time to do much. | N/A |
| Luuk de Jong | Aubameyang (86)' | Late sub who should be applauded. Took two shots in his four minutes on the pitch, offering his team a chance at the win. | 7 |
| Manager | Subs used | How did the manager do? | Rating |
Xavi | 5 | He didn't wait terribly long to make changes, but I suspect he'll start Busquets next time, because they needed him for longer. He also must help Ferran regain his confidence. | 6 |
| Name | Minutes | How did they do? | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
(GK) Alex Meret | 90 | He was fundamental, especially in the second half when the pressure increased and there was a need for a goalkeeper who could not make mistakes. Obviously not guilty for the goal conceded, which came from a penalty. | 7 |
(DEF) Giovanni Di Lorenzo | 90 | Usually he is a factor in the offensive side of the pitch for the way he plays and the chances he creates with assists, this time instead he was more careful not to make mistakes in defense. | 6 |
(DEF) Amir Rrahmani | 90 | He was careful enough to not make any big mistakes and he was helped by the great performance of his teammate Koulibaly. Napoli couldn't ask him more. | 6 |
(DEF) Kalidou Koulibaly | 90 | After winning the AFCON and being the MVP against Inter Milan last Saturday in Serie A, this was another great performance by him. He was like a wall vs. Barca, almost impossible to pass him. | 7 |
(DEF) Juan Jesus | 90 | It wasn't a bad game for the former AS Roma player, but the handball was too evident and it was the reason why Napoli conceded the only goal. Unlucky. | 5 |
(MID) André Anguissa | 84 | You didn't see him much on the pitch, but he was totally needed, especially because he was the reason why Fabian and Zielinski had more freedom next to him. | 6 |
(MID) Fabian Ruiz | 90 | Didn't impress much. He's used to playing closer to the strikers, but he was needed also on the defensive side of the pitch. He wanted to impress his opponents that are always monitoring him for the future. | 6 |
(MID) Eljif Elmas | 84 | He was part of the game, especially for the opening goal that started from him, but then his way of playing was a bit too soft and his position on the pitch is still an issue for Spalletti. | 5 |
(MID) Piotr Zielinski | 79 | He was Napoli's best player. He proved to be a totally different player under Luciano Spalletti this season, much more consistent and provided most of the chances that Napoli got today -- including scoring the goal. Crucial player. | 7 |
(FWD) Lorenzo Insigne | 72 | Napoli's captain played a very defensive game, almost close to the line of the midfielders and did not have many chances to create in the offensive side of the pitch. He was careful in defense, but not very creative when it was needed. | 5 |
(FWD) Victor Osimhen | 79 | Very useful today. His way of playing was needed for his team because he was the only one who tried to kept the ball and make his teammates breath a bit when Barcelona was pushing a lot. Couldn't do much more. | 6 |
| Substitutes | Replaced | How did they do? | Rating |
Adam Ounas | Lorenzo Insigne (72') | Came in when Napoli was just thinking about not conceding the second goal. Did his best. | 6 |
Diego Demme | Piotr Zielinski (79') | He came in and tried to press more in the midfield area. | N/A |
Dries Mertens | Victor Osimhen (79') | Couldn't do much. Subbed in when Napoli needed to buy time and not concede the second goal. | N/A |
| Kevin Malcuit | André Anguissa (84') | Late substitute, almost put his team in danger but managed to keep the ball away from the GK. | N/A |
| Mario Rui | Eljif Elmas (84') | Late substitute. Had only one pass and couldn't do more really. | N/A |
| Manager | Subs used | How did the manager do? | Rating |
Luciano Spalletti | 5 | He has been one of the best Italian managers out there. Napoli came to Barcelona to win the match, even if they had some issues in the second half. But the performance is still positive and tactically speaking he prepared the game perfectly. | 7 |
After more than 99 minutes of game time it's 1-1 at the Camp Nou: the match is over with no winners tonight. Barcelona failed to score the second goal in the last minutes and Napoli get a nice result ahead of the second leg that will take place next Thursday at the Stadio Maradona on February 24.
Barcelona are pushing more and more to try to score a second one but Napoli managed to contain the offensive actions of Xavi's side. Dembelé has a great inspiration now and the ball reaches Ferran Torres, who is not cynical enough and the ball goes wide again. Few minutes after Luuk de Jong goes one step away to score an unbelievable goal with a bicycle kick!
The chances haven't been terrific, but Barca continue to control the pace of the match and the majority of the ball as they look for the advantage. The inclusion of Sergio Busquets is allowing them to be a bit more fluid in playing centrally and then wide, but they have to find something to show for it.
More chances for the home team with Aubameyang that doesn't find the right angle and the ball goes wide again. Barcelona are pushing now and Xavi makes a triple change: Gavi, Dembele and Busquets come in and De Jong, Traore and Nigo are out of the match.
It's 1-1 at the Camp Nou: Ferran Torres scores the penalty given by the referee for Juan Jesus' handball. Deserved for what the teams showed in the second half.
Handball from Juan Jesus on the left side of the box: the VAR calls back the referee for the on-field review who gives the penalty to the home team.
A lot of the ball for Barca in this early second half as Adama and Mingueza combine down the right. The hosts are knocking on the door now, but the defending from Napoli continues to be sharp.
The match has restarted with no changed in the two sides. Napoli ahead thanks to the opening goal scored by Zielinski. We need to see a reaction from Barcelona now.
Shots: Barca 8, Napoli 3
xG: Barca 0.61, Napoli 0.93
Possession: Barca 61.2%, Napoli 38.8%
This is it for the first part of the match, with Napoli ahead thanks to the goal of Piotr Zielinski. Barcelona were the best side overall, but didn't manage to score despite three big chances. After Napoli's opening goal Barcelona changed a bit attitude and lost confidence. Huge result for Napoli until now.
A surprising 1-0 lead for Napoli at the Camp Nou...and that came just moments after Ferran's shocking miss. The Spanish attacker was clear through on goal off a fine touch from Auba, but Barca somehow don't convert, and Napoli make them pay!
After a huge chance for Ferran Torres, Napoli are ahead with Piotr Zielinksi! Great play by Elmas on the short side of the area and Zielinski is the quicker one on the ball: on the first shot ter Stegen saves it, but the ball goes back to the Polish player, who scores this time.
Zielinski recovers the ball and immediately gives it to Osimhen, who tries it but ter Stegen is very careful. Napoli are now trying to be a bit more offensive, but Barcelona are still in control of the match.
Pierre Aubameyang has a nice chance to score the opening goal of the night, but his shot goes wide at the left's side of the post. Barcelona are way more dangerous than Napoli in this part of the first half.
54 percent of the ball for Barca with two shots but just a 0.06 xG to show for it. Meanwhile, nothing from Napoli in the first quarter of an hour, registering zero total shots. Barca have been on the front foot since the beginning, but they haven't been all that threatening.
Barcelona are dangerous when they move the ball quickly around. The home team has the first chance of the match but Pedri's shot goes wide. Napoli are more defensive in this first part of the game.
We are underway at the Camp Nou for Barcelona-Napoli: the match has started and we are going to watch an incredible round of 16 of this year's edition of the UEFA Europa League.
In his pre-match press conference, Luciano Spalletti said his team will play their style and not modify things because of who they are playing.
"We will play our game," he said. "We will not use a special tactic just because it's Barcelona. We try to play as we know. We know that in some moments we will have to defend and in others try to exploit the spaces."
These clubs are linked in history because of Diego Maradona's transfer from Barca to Napoli in the 80s, but they haven't played all that much. They met in the round of 16 in 2019-20 and also played two friendlies in the United States in 2019. Barca have had the advantage with three wins and one draw.
Barcelona legend Dani Alves won't be part of today's clash against Napoli because he was not included in the Europa League list for the knockout stage. The rule says that clubs can add only three new faces in the existing lists and Barcelona manager Xavi decided to include Ferran Torres, Adama Traore and Aubameyang (all of them are in the starting XI) and for this reason there was no room for Dani Alves.
Despite being in doubt until the last hour for a small knee injury, Luciano Spalletti can count on Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen who's available and will play from the first minute against Barcelona today. Dries Mertens will start on the bench and can be a factor for the second half.
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Mingueza, Eric, Piqué, Jordi Alba, Nico, De Jong, Pedri, Ferran, Aubameyang, Adama.
Napoli: Meret, Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Koulibaly, Juan Jesus, Anguissa, Fabian, Elmas, Zielinski, Insigne, Osimhen.
Barca: There have been some big changes to the squad for the competition as they've been downgraded from UCL to Europa. Gone is Philippe Coutinho as the most noticeable exit, but in come three players who can be difference makers. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Ferran Torres and Adama Traore are tasked with getting this team back on track during their post-Lionel Messi days. Expect all three to see the pitch in this one.
Napoli: They've dealt with injuries all season long but now enter the game at full strength. They have been in fine form and continue to improve defensively. Manager Luciano Spalletti hinted in his pre-match press conference that they may prioritize defending and try to exploit space. With Barca's possession-heavy style, don't be surprised to see this team go on the counter to find its best scoring chances.
Welcome to the CBS Sports live blog of the UEFA Europa League! It's FC Barcelona against Napoli from the Camp Nou in the knockout stage playoff round. The first leg is set for 12:45 p.m. ET, while the second leg arrives next Thursday. You can watch the game live on Paramount+.
I'm Roger Gonzalez, and we'll be joined by Francesco Porzio shortly for what should be a thrilling match.
