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LiveUpdated Saturday 8 August 2020 19:32
Antoine Griezmann scored a crucial away goal when these two shared a draw in February’s first-leg. Follow live coverage as they fight to reach the Champions League quarter-finals at the Nou Camp
Follow live coverage as Barcelona host Napoli in the Champions League last 16 tonight.
Dries Mertens and Antoine Griezmann swapped goals in the first-leg of this tie back in February with the Frenchman’s away strike giving tonight’s hosts the slightest of advantages heading into the decider. Napoli have won the Coppa Italia since these two last met while Barca let their pre-lockdown La Liga lead slip allowing rivals Real Madrid to win the league title.
Star man Lionel Messi is desperate to win this tournament again but will have to be at his best against a Napoli side that must not be underestimated. We’ll have all the action for you live from the Nou Camp:
Warm ups underway at the Camp Nou:
If Barcelona were to lose tonight could this be the last time we see Lionel Messi in blue and garnet? This last-16 second leg against Napoli isn’t just about the club’s immediate future in the competition – it may well be about Messi’s future at the club, too:
It's been 12 years and counting since Barcelona last failed to reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Back in 2007 the were knocked out by Liverpool who went through on away goals after the tie finished 2-2.
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Wow, Juve don't mess around do they. After getting knocked out of the Champions League last night, dismissing Maurizio Sarri this afternoon they've now got a new manager:
No change in plan or tactics from Napoli's boss, Gennaro Gattuso. In a pre-match presser he told the media:
“We'll play the same way we've been playing in our last 12 matches since the lockdown. Our idea is to keep the ball, stay compact and focused.
“If you look at the stats, you can see the sort of football we like to play. If being well organised tactically means being a defensive team, then people can call us that. The reality is different and we'll forge ahead with our idea of football.
“There's not much to say on occasions such as these. There's no point putting more pressure on the team. I think it's nice to look back to your childhood and remember all the sacrifices you've made to get to where you are now. You must never forget where it all began.”
The very least that Napoli need tonight is a goal. A victory at Camp Nou obviously sends them into the quarter-finals but they have won just one of their last 10 away Champions League games. That win coming against Red Bull Salzburg in October 2019.
However, they are unbeaten in all three away games this season so there is a chance. It is a slim one though when you weigh it against Barcelona's home record.
Their run of 35 home Champions League games without defeat, winning 31 and drawing four, is the second longest in the history of the European Cup/Champions League, only behind Bayern Munich’s 43-game run between 1969 and 1991.
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This guru is on show once again tonight:
Team news - Changes
Quique Setien makes four changes to the Barcelona team that rescued a 1-1 against Napoli in the first leg back in February.
Clement Lenglet and Jordi Alba come into the defence wtih Sergi Roberto and Luis Suarez in replacing Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal.
Just the one change for Napoli from the first leg. Kalido Koulibaly is fit again and starts in central defence alongside Kostas Manolas.
Team news - Napoli
Ospina, Demme, Mário Rui, Callejón, Fabián Ruiz, Mertens, Zieliński, Di Lorenzo, Insigne, Koulibaly, Manolas
Team news - Barcelona
Napoli's manager, Gennaro Gattuso, described the task in front of his team as "like climbing Everest” ahead of tonight's Champions League clash with Barcelona. He said:
“We know it's going to be really, really difficult, we know we're going to need a massive performance both physically and technically – and we know that still might not be enough. We're aware of the fact that we're up against formidable opponents.
"Barcelona are used to winning. We're up against a fabulous side who are a joy to watch. We're going to have to climb Everest tomorrow.”
Barcelona vs Napoli sits intriguingly at 1-1 after the first leg, take a look at both goals from the game back in February:
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The Champions League last 16 concludes tonight as Barcelona host Napoli with the tie standing at 1-1 and Chelsea travelling to Bayern Munich in an attempt to overturn a 3-0 deficit.
The tournament resumed last night as Man City defeated Real Madrid and Lyon knocked out Juventus on away goals.
The ramifications of that last match are being played out today as Juventus' manager Maurizio Sarri was sacked earlier:
The official team news will be out within the hour but first, here is everything you need to know before tonight's second leg:
The first leg of this tie was the only time the two sides have met in a competitive match. Napoli have never travelled to the Camp Nou in the Champions League.
The last time a team came here and won on their first attempt in the Champions League was Rubin Kazan in October 2009. They won 2-1.
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Follow live coverage as Barcelona host Napoli in the Champions League last 16 tonight.
Dries Mertens and Antoine Griezmann swapped goals in the first-leg of this tie back in February with the Frenchman’s away strike giving tonight’s hosts the slightest of advantages heading into the decider.
Napoli have won the Coppa Italia since these two last met while Barca let their pre-lockdown La Liga lead slip allowing rivals Real Madrid to win the league title.
Star man Lionel Messi is desperate to win this tournament again but will have to be at his best against a Napoli side that must not be underestimated.
We’ll have all the action for you live from the Nou Camp.
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