One of the most intriguing 2023/24 Champions League last-16 ties sees the champions of Spain and Italy collide when Napoli meet Barcelona.
The Diego Maradona connection makes this European clash all the more special and the clubs have been recent opponents in recent times, last squaring off in the 2021/22 Europa League when Barca were victorious.
The two sides would go on to claim their respective national league titles the following season, but moods have dropped so far in 2023/24, with neither champion in contention to retain their crown.
Barca‘s defence of La Liga has fallen apart and they are clearly capable of losing against a team like Napoli, who still possess dangerous players Xavi’s side will need to be wary of even if they have regressed.
With the two legs set to be played on 21 February and 12 March, beginning at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, here are the Napoli stars Barca must keep quiet to progress into the Champions League quarter-finals.
The major headline-maker in this Napoli team, Victor Osimhen is a striker every single club should be scared of facing. The Nigeria international has not been as prolific this time around compared to the 2022/23 campaign, in which he scored 31 goals across Serie A and the Champions League.
However, the 25-year-old has all the best attributes a modern striker needs.
Fast, tall, strong, a lethal finisher and an incredibly hard worker, Osimhen can score all types of goals and will demand a huge amount of attention from Barca’s central defenders. Having missed the first leg of Napoli’s quarter-final exit to AC Milan last season, he has unfinished business in this competition.
There are concerns about his fitness for this tie, but if Osimhen is playing, Barca have to be careful.
Another Napoli star who has struggled after the title-winning campaign, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia is in a new phase of his career where there is expectation and pressure on him to perform consistently for Gli Azzurri.
The Georgia international recently reminded everyone of just how devastating he can be with a superb winning goal against Hellas Verona and given Barca have struggled all season long with their full-backs, Kvaratskhelia will feel there is some joy to be had across both legs.
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