Champions League
FC Barcelona is in the quarter-finals of the Champions League for the first time in four years. It was better than Italian champions Napoli: 3–1 (first: 1–1). In the quarter-finals, the Catalans may meet a different caliber than the Italians.
“The most important match of the season”, coach Xavi had pumped up the match to great proportions beforehand. His players got the message. Barcelona started the match like an express train. It was reminiscent of the great days. A lot of pressure when the opponent has the ball and 16-year-old Lamine Yamal stands out. Sometimes it took two or three Neapolitans to stop him and that still didn’t work. Raphinha was also doing very well. He was behind Barça’s two goals in two minutes.
Raphinha pushed through on the left after fifteen minutes and replaced the ball. Lewandowski made a smart step and the young Fermin Lopez (20), another talent from his own youth, scored hard. Two minutes later, Raphinha again took advantage of the enormous space that Napoli somewhat surprisingly left. The Brazilian took a hard swing and hit the post. The rebounding ball was neatly kicked in by João Cancelo. Not easy, this was an example of pedaling technique.
Pace down
The 2–0 lead resulted in Barcelona slowing down the pace. Of course, the rhythm was also unsustainable. On the half hour there was suddenly Rrahmani with the 2-1. A Kosovo goal in the Champions League. That was the first time. Also quite surprising because the 30-year-old is a right wing defender.
It was only the second time that Napoli came close to Ter Stegen. After four minutes, Osimhen had already bumped into the Barça goalkeeper. After the tying goal, a retreating home team was unable to switch back to attacking football, meaning Ter Stegen had to get serious again. The German goalkeeper had to push Di Lorenzo’s header over the crossbar. Napoli’s attackers, and especially Osimhen, were in the back pocket of Pau Cubarsí, 17 years old and another talent from Barça’s youth.
Napoli not in power
After halftime the pace of the match dropped even more. Kvaratschelia placed an effort wide. Raphinha in turn tested Napoli goalkeeper Meret. Things continued to go downhill for Barcelona and coach Xavi brought Fermin Lopez and Christensen to the bench for Sergi Roberto and Romeu. The latter cannot speak of a successful raid because he lost the ball too much.
However, Napoli was unable to really make it difficult for the Catalans. Lewandowski hit Meret hard. The signal for Barcelona to take control of the match again. A goal by Lamine Yamal was rightly disallowed for offside. Gündogan also attacked fiercely, but the Napoli goalkeeper was well in the corner. Lamine Yamal, again, curled a shot just wide of the far post.
All those missed opportunities could have cost the Catalans dearly. Ten minutes before the end, substitute Lindström headed just wide. Raphinha played a strong game, but his candle slowly went out. If you have João Felix on the bench, you should not hesitate. The Portuguese replaced the Brazilian. It was the other substitute, Sergi Roberto, who put the 3-1 at Lewandowski’s foot after a wonderful combination with Gündogan. Olivera hit the crossbar on behalf of Napoli, but the quarter-finals were no longer feasible for the Italians. Our compatriot Ngonge was only allowed to come on in the second minute of extra time. Enough to hit the ball once.
BARCELONA-NAPLES 3-1 Goals: 15′ Fermin 1-0; 17′ Cancelo 2-0; 30′ Rrahmani 2-1; 83′ Lewandowski 3-1
