Pre-Match Thread: Barcelona vs Napoli [Champions League]

#Match Information:

 

**Match**: [](#barcelona) Barcelona vs Napoli [](#napoli)

**Competition**: Champions League

**Date**: Tuesday, 12th of March 2024

**Time**: 21:00 CET / 16:00 EDT – [Convert to local time](https://www.time.is/1710273600)

**Venue**: [Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/Estadi_Ol%C3%ADmpic_Llu%C3%ADs_Companys_-_Barcelona%2C_Spain_-_Jan_2007.jpg/1920px-Estadi_Ol%C3%ADmpic_Llu%C3%ADs_Companys_-_Barcelona%2C_Spain_-_Jan_2007.jpg) – 54367 capacity

**Referee**: Danny Desmond Makkelie

 

#Lineups and Squads:

 

[](#barcelona) **Barcelona** – Official squad to be confirmed

**GK**: Ter Stegen, Iñaki Peña

**DEF**: João Cancelo, ~~Álex Baldé~~, Araújo, Íñigo Martínez, Christensen, ~~Alonso~~, Koundé

**MID**: ~~Gavi~~, ~~Pedri~~, Oriol Romeu, Sergi Roberto, ~~Frenkie~~, Gündoğan

**ATT**: ~~Ferran Torres~~, Lewandowski, Raphinha, João Félix, Vitor Roque

**Unavailable**: Álex Baldé, Alonso, Gavi, Pedri, Frenkie, Ferran Torres (injured)

**Not called**:

 

[](#napoli) **Napoli** – Official squad to be confirmed

**GK**: Alex Meret, Nikita Contini, Hubert Idasiak, Pierluigi Gollini

**DEF**: N. Bernardo de Souza, Juan Jesus, Mário Rui, Amir Rrahmani, Mathias Olivera, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Pasquale Mazzocchi, Leo Østigård

**MID**: Diego Demme, Hamed Junior Traorè, Piotr Zieliński, ~~Jens Cajuste~~, Jesper Lindstrom, Leander Dendoncker, Stanislav Lobotka, André Zambo Anguissa

**ATT**: Victor Osimhen, Giovanni Simeone, Matteo Politano, ~~Cyril Ngonge~~, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Giacomo Raspadori

**Unavailable**: Jens Cajuste, Cyril Ngonge (injured)

**Not called**:

 

#Form guide:

 

**Barcelona**

– **Form**: **[W]** D W D W

– **Goals scored**: 8

– **Goals conceded**: 2

– **Last match**: FC Barcelona 1:0 Mallorca – La Liga

**Napoli**

– **Form**: **[D]** W L D W

– **Goals scored**: 7

– **Goals conceded**: 6

– **Last match**: Napoli 1:1 FC Barcelona – Champions League

 

#Head-to-head:

 

– **Last meeting**: Napoli 1:1 FC Barcelona

– **Date**: Wednesday, 21st of February 2024, 21:00 CET

– **Competition**: Champions League

– **Threads**: [Pre-match thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1avknj7/prematch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_champions/) | [Match thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awloqg/match_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa_champions/) | [Post-match thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/)

– **Highlights**: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHOWpSQlPOM

 

#Comments (Post-match thread):

 

Author: **Kotleba** | Score: **316** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik4xx/)**

> There’s no worse team in football than Barcelona after scoring a goal. It’s seriously infuriating how we just stop playing every time we take a lead.

Author: **No-Forever-6104** | Score: **307** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik2hk/)**

> Feels like a fumbled opportunity we should’ve won

Author: **TheAyushJain** | Score: **240** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik5z0/)**

> The team looked tired after 70 minutes , should’ve substituted players right after Lewandowski’s goal

Author: **Laxing4Life** | Score: **209** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijrm3/)**

> Getting out of Italy with a draw isn’t bad at face value, but this should’ve been a multi-goal win.

Author: **mntgoat** | Score: **173** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijunh/)**

> I don’t understand Mr Xavi. It is obvious when the team starts falling asleep, why not make the subs earlier?

Author: **alley_mo_g10** | Score: **138** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijum2/)**

> Gotta finish this off at home.

Author: **dzenys2** | Score: **136** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/kril7x5/)**

> We played good until we scored, and thats the problem with this team lately. Every time we are ahead we drop back and we concede and then everything goes to shit.

Author: **viv4la** | Score: **120** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijuej/)**

> Is Xavi allergic to substitutions?

Author: **DaDizzy** | Score: **84** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijsl8/)**

> I hope everyone saw how vital FDJ is for this team

Author: **Professional_Code372** | Score: **73** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik0gg/)**

> This is a big L in my book. Wasteful passes and shots , astonishingly bad error from Inigo, like the kinda shit only rookies do

Author: **tsoupapi123** | Score: **71** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krikb2b/)**

> Napoli made subs and changed the game. What did Xavi do? Nothing! He is stubborn

Author: **xscientist** | Score: **61** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krim0xs/)**

> Should have subbed Fermin for Pedri right after our goal.

Author: **NikolasFoot** | Score: **61** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik50g/)**

> Yet another example of horrific game management. Napoli are tragically bad, probably the worst team we’ve faced since Unionistas in the CDR. Pedri, Gundogan and Yamal are too exhausted to do anything useful by the 65th minute yet Xavi waits until we have conceded to make changes. And the changes, instead of bringing energy, are Romeu and Felix, the most passive players in the squad.

> For those who say that a draw isn’t a bad result, let me remind you that Xavi has won just 4/11 home games in Europe.

Author: **djdash16** | Score: **50** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krikuvj/)**

> Atleast we didn’t loose like Arsenal💀💀💀

Author: **DarksideGustavo** | Score: **49** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijrp3/)**

> Lol. This team just can’t finish

Author: **Powerful_Ad8371** | Score: **42** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijtt2/)**

> Xavi gave the match away as usual

Author: **mrmeseeks805** | Score: **41** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijzk7/)**

> At least Napoli can’t win on away goals. This team gets to confident and complacent when they take the lead.

Author: **-_OniGir_-** | Score: **34** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/kril2w9/)**

> The amount of people happy with a draw with a disaster of a team with new coach. Yikes.

Author: **outopia10** | Score: **30** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik8mq/)**

> Xavi: we controlled the game, we dominated for most time.

Author: **its_Preshh** | Score: **30** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik5hg/)**

> Sometimes, Xavi makes decisions and you’re baffled like “wow…no way he made such a sîlly decision”

> Who in the world looks at this game and thinks: “yeah, Romeu is the player we need to sub in”?

> Pedri was gassed out since 60th minute but man refused to bring in Felix to put more pressure on them.

> Xavi is worse than I thought…

> Can Xavi leave tomorrow pls?

Author: **eescobar863** | Score: **28** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krikmju/)**

> https://preview.redd.it/5ili9wz5g0kc1.jpeg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=dc4e1d7acff5994ca0d8575459556a8b6f1cfccd

Author: **potatoswagster** | Score: **27** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik8wo/)**

> The people who say “i take this result” make me feel ashamed to be a Barca fan. After we scored we completely checked out and the lack of subs or change in tactics shows me that Xavi has checked out too.

Author: **BETONEIRA1337** | Score: **25** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krijt6c/)**

> Well, that was painfull to watch

Author: **Raicooof** | Score: **20** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krimx3v/)**

> perfect match for roque or even fermin to run behind lines fuck mann

Author: **Crossflowerss_5304** | Score: **15** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik57v/)**

> We expected a mid-off and that’s exactly what we got

Author: **undetermining** | Score: **15** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik073/)**

> It was a clown show. Everything after the 60th minute was horrible, particularly in the coaching department.

Author: **grandeherisson** | Score: **14** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krikeo5/)**

> Take Frenkie “I hear he earns too much” de Jong out of this team and we have no chance on nights like these.

Author: **IR_Deadpixel** | Score: **13** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krip1ng/)**

> What breaks me the most is that this team completely lost any identity, any passion, flair basically anything that it would make the match entertaining.

> The only positive thing are our youngsters and even those are so overworked that it destroys them. Just look at Pedri. 70th min and he looked like he spent 4 months in Vietnam war…

> For past 22 years, I have not seen the club in such state that would just make me sad watching it…

Author: **sirfic** | Score: **12** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krika4o/)**

> We haven’t won a round of 16 away fixture since 2016 Arsenal

Author: **Blaugrana1990** | Score: **12** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krikg8g/)**

> Why on earth did Martinez think that going down would be a good decision.

Author: **blueskymo** | Score: **12** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krik32v/)**

> Leave xavi in Italy

Author: **Only_culer_2903** | Score: **11** pts | **[Source](https://reddit.com/r/Barca/comments/1awoj0o/postmatch_thread_napoli_vs_barcelona_uefa/krimm1s/)**

> I’m tired of Xavi’s stubborn managerial style screwing up easy games for us. How hard is it to make 4-5 subs after 60th minute. Why the hell did he even bother asking felix and fermin and cubarsi to warm up. Bro ended up sending romeu in the 86th minute.
> Ig after napoli, it’s our turn to sack our manager before the 2nd leg🥰

 

#Quotes:

 

Xavi’s press conference ahead of the second leg match against Napoli
byu/Kindly-Low1346 inBarca

Ter Stegen’s press conference ahead of the second leg match against Napoli
byu/Kindly-Low1346 inBarca

 

#Latest News:

 

[[Article] – Xavi: ‘We have to compete and not be afraid’](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3930423/xavi-we-have-to-compete-and-not-be-afraid) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – Ter Stegen aiming for ‘another clean sheet’](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3930416/ter-stegen-aiming-for-another-clean-sheet) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – Upturn in Napoli form before Montjuïc visit](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3928732/upturn-in-napoli-form-before-montjuic-visit) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – Final training session ahead of the Champions League](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3930444/final-training-session-ahead-of-the-champions-league) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – Full focus on the Napoli game](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3928765/full-focus-on-the-napoli-game) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – Recovery session after the win against Mallorca](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3926213/recovery-session-after-the-win-against-mallorca) – **fcbarcelona.com**

[[Article] – When and where to watch FC Barcelona v Napoli](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3929259/when-and-where-to-watch-fc-barcelona-v-napoli) – **fcbarcelona.com**

 

#TV/Online:

 

**[Livesoccertv](https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/4856167/barcelona-vs-napoli/)** | **[Liveonsat](https://liveonsat.com/club-uefa-champions-league.php)** | **[FCBarcelona.com](https://www.fcbarcelona.com/en/football/first-team/news/3929259/when-and-where-to-watch-fc-barcelona-v-napoli)**

 

by decho